Ronaldo honours Djokovic at 16th Globe Soccer Awards

Cristiano Ronaldo has honoured tennis legend Novak Djokovic with the newly launched Globe Sports Award during the 16th Globe Soccer Awards held on Sunday at Dubai’s Atlantis, The Royal.

Attended by world football’s most celebrated players, decision-makers, legends, and rising stars, the 2025 edition of the Global Soccer Awards saw more than 20 awards being presented.

The event was held with the attendance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Apart from honoring Djokovic, Ronaldo earned his very own recognition, receiving the award for Best Middle East Player. 

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward Ousmane Dembélé was crowned Best Men’s Player for the first time and FC Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí Bonmatí made history by being named Best Women’s Player for a third consecutive year.

French giants PSG, capping off an extraordinary year in which they won the UEFA Champions League and Super Cup, Ligue 1, and Coupe de France, were named Best Men’s Club, while individual awards went to Luis Enrique (Best Coach), Vitinha (Best Midfielder), Désiré Doué (Emerging Player), Luis Campos (Best Sporting Director), and Nasser Al-Khelaïfi (Best President).

In addition to celebrating Bonmatí’s Best Women’s Player honour, it was a big night for FC Barcelona as they won the Best Women’s Club trophy.

Barca’s 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal also secured a double after being presented with the Best Forward award and the Maradona Award.

Career awards were presented to Spaniard Andrés Iniesta, who scored the winning goal for his country in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final against the Netherlands, and to former Japan midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata, a two-time AFC Player of the Year and Serie A winner with AS Roma.

In a tribute, a special award was also presented to the parents of Diogo Jota, the Liverpool and Portugal forward who tragically died in a car accident alongside his younger brother Andre Silva in July.