Dubai, UAE – January 19, 2024: Suited and booted, European champions Manchester City swept a record six trophies at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards on Friday night inside the five-star Atlantis, The Palm. The 25-strong City squad were joined by Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who turned out to collect a hat-trick of accolades at the glittering event, held in conjunction with the 18th Dubai International Sports Conference, in partnership with Dubai Sports Council, and presented by Nakheel.
One of the world’s leading celebrations of international football excellence, the 14th edition of the star-studded awards took place on Palm Jumeirah, one of the world’s largest man-made islands and a marvel of luxury and engineering courtesy of leading Dubai-based real estate developer Nakheel. As well as Manchester City and Ronaldo, this year’s event attracted a full catalogue of football luminaries of past and present, including Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, former England manager Fabio Capello, and Brazil captain Casemiro.
Some 70 million-plus fan votes from more than 225 countries and territories helped deem City striker Erling Haaland Best Men’s Player, while Rodri took Best Midfielder, and Ederson Best Goalkeeper. With manager Pep Guardiola winning Best Coach and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak receiving Best President, the entire City delegation took to the stage to receive Best Men’s Club in recognition of all those involved in last year’s remarkable five-title haul, which included a maiden UEFA Champions League.
Kevin De Bruyne, holding the Best Club award, said: “There had been a lot of heartache with the Champions League, but last year was amazing and I’m very grateful. I’ve been sitting on the sidelines most of the season and can see just how talented these guys are. I see the hunger and the passion [we have]. Let’s try again [for more success] this year.”
Haaland, after watching a sea of video tributes from fans around the world, added: “No matter where you come from, you can achieve something. I’m from a small town in Norway. It’s all about hard work and having the right people around you.”
On what makes Man City such a special club, the striker added: “I think first of all the people. The manager too, of course. It’s a fantastic club and the support we get is massive.”
Ronaldo, 38 years old and fresh from a historic first year with Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, added another three accolades to his long list of career achievements, receiving Best Middle East Player, the Globe Soccer Maradona Award for most goals scored in a calendar year, and Fans’ Favourite Player of the Year. Earlier in the evening, he had joined City defenders Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker on stage to discuss “Sustainability in Performance” as part of the Dubai International Sports Conference.
“I live day-by-day,” said Ronaldo, who scored 54 goals in 59 games in 2023. “I’m still capable of scoring more goals to help my team and my national team. I was the best goalscorer this season; imagine beating young animals like Haaland. I’m proud. I will carry on for now. The moment I finish, I don’t know, but of course it will be soon.”
Other winners on the night included Real Madrid sensation Jude Bellingham, who received the Power Horse Emerging Player Award; Spanish World Cup winner Aitana Bonmati, who took Best Women’s Player; FC Barcelona were awarded Best Women’s Club; and Al Ahly received Best Middle East Club.
“The 18th Dubai International Sports Conference and 14th Dubai Globe Soccer Awards will go down as one of the most memorable editions in the history of this co-located event,” said His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary-General of Dubai Sports Council. “To have Cristiano Ronaldo share a stage with Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker to discuss football here in our city demonstrates the importance of the Conference and the recognition it has globally. I would like to thank the team at Globe Soccer for organising another fantastic edition of their prestigious awards ceremony and we look forward already to next year’s event.”
“I am immensely proud to see the world of football come out in force here in Dubai to recognise and celebrate the sport’s best operators and is testament to the growing reputation of the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards and the appeal of Dubai as a destination,” said Tommaso Bendoni, Founder and CEO of Globe Soccer. “We are unique in that we not only celebrate the best men’s and women’s players, but also all key stakeholders in the game. Our event, with the generous help of Dubai Sports Council, embodies the spirit of the sport, and the overwhelming, record response from fans during the voting period reinforces our commitment to honouring the extraordinary talents that make football a global phenomenon.”
Three career awards were also distributed during the two-hour ceremony. Brazil captain Casemiro and former England skipper John Terry both took to the stage to receive Player Career Awards, while coach Lionel Scaloni, who famously led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory in 2022, received a Coach Career Award.
Prior to the Dubai International Sports Conference session, the Dubai Globe Soccer Digital Awards crowned six winners, as well as two new Serie A awards. Voted for by fans, Best Digital Journalist went to Fabrizio Romano for the second successive year and Best Middle East Academy to Egypt’s ZED FC, while AC Milan striker Rafael Leão won the inaugural Serie A – Best Digital Content by a Player and AS Roma won Serie A – Best Digital Content by a Club.
