The Globe Soccer Awards organizing committee officially announced the shortlist of nominees for the 2025 Best Player in the World award, a move that sparked widespread controversy in Arab and international sporting circles. The announcement contained a major surprise: the absence of two prominent Arab stars, Egyptian Mohamed Salah, Liverpool's top scorer, and Moroccan Achraf Hakimi, the right-back for Paris Saint-Germain, from the list.
Final list of candidates for 2025
The final shortlist saw a significant reduction in the number of nominees, with the competition narrowed down to just five names representing a select group of Europe's top clubs, specifically from the Spanish and French leagues. The shortlist included the following names:
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona – Spain): The young gem who stole the show with an exceptional performance.
- Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain – Portugal): The midfield maestro of the Parisian club.
- Rafinha (Barcelona – Brazil): The brilliant winger who has recently delivered outstanding performances.
- Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid - France): The star who recently joined Real Madrid and one of the world's top scorers.
- Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain – France): The fast and influential winger in the French champions' squad.
The absence of Salah and Hakimi... an unexpected shock
The exclusion of Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi comes as a shock to football fans in the Arab world and Africa, given the consistent performances both players have delivered for their respective clubs. Mohamed Salah continues to break records in the English Premier League and is a cornerstone of Liverpool's attack, while Achraf Hakimi is considered one of the best full-backs in the world and has played a pivotal role in Paris Saint-Germain's domestic successes.
History and significance of the Globe Soccer Awards
The Globe Soccer Awards are a prestigious annual event held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and have gained significant global momentum since their inception in 2010. Organized jointly by the European Association of Player Agents and the European Club Association, the awards carry considerable administrative and technical weight. Beyond simply recognizing the best player, the awards encompass multiple categories such as best coach, best club, and best agent, making it a comprehensive celebration of the football industry.
This event reflects Dubai’s prestigious position as a global sports destination, where legends of the game and sports decision-makers gather annually, boosting sports tourism and confirming the region’s role in the international football scene.
Date of the anticipated concert
The world's attention will be focused on Dubai on December 28, where the prestigious awards ceremony will be held to announce the winner of the "Best" title from the shortlist, on a night expected to see a large turnout of sports and media stars from around the world.
