DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the first time in the award’s history, Globe Soccer have included three categories in recognition of the world’s best female football talent: Best Women’s Player of the Year, Best Club of the Year and Best Referee of the Year.
On the men’s side, Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the running for his sixth ‘Best Men’s Player of the Year’ award, alongside Lionel Messi and a roster of internationally-recognised stars that will light the stage of the 11th edition of the annual Globe Soccer Awards, which are organized in partnership with Dubai Sports Council. The 2019 Awards will take place at Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah on Sunday, December 29.
The candidates and eventual winners will be chosen by the Globe Soccer Jury, a panel of leading industry experts including Fabio Capello, Antonio Conte and Eric Abidal.
Some of the season’s biggest stars are in contention this year, including Liverpool enforcer Virgil van Dijk and his manager Jurgen Klopp, and Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva.
Added excitement is being brought to the proceedings as the outstanding skills and contribution of women players such as Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe – who co-captained the US national football team to victory in the FIFA Women’s World Cup earlier this year – are deservedly acknowledged in their award nominations. We are certainly in for an exceptional gala ceremony this year, being held in association with the 14th edition of the Dubai International Sports Conference, organised by Dubai Sports Council.
Joining Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe in the Best Women’s Player category is fellow English football star Lucy Bronze, who led French club Olympique Lyonnais to victory in the Women’s Champions League.
“The sport is going from strength to strength and with the popularity of FIFA Women's World Cup this year, watched by over 1.5 billion people across the globe and an impressive fan base, we wanted to recognise the immense talent that is evident across the board,” said Tommaso Bendoni, CEO of Globe Soccer. “We’ll be welcoming the biggest names in the sport to Dubai for another all-star event including international players, coaches and the people who work behind the scenes to make competitions possible.”
“We also extend our thanks to Dubai Sports Council for their ongoing support in helping recognise the talents in soccer, both regionally and internationally.”
Last season was a magical one for Liverpool FC and their supporters as they became UEFA champions for the sixth time. This makes them a strong contender for all of the awards they have been nominated for, including Best Club, Best Men’s Player (Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Alisson Becker and Sadio Mane) and Best Coach (Jurgen Klopp).
Given Portugal’s amazing reputation for turning out world-class football talent, it is no surprise that serious competition will be provided in these same categories by Cristiano Ronaldo, who is shortlisted for Best Men’s Player along with his countrymen Bernardo Silva, João Félix for Best Revelation Player and Fernando Santos, up for Best Coach.
Going for its 11th edition, the Globe Soccer Awards is considered part of the ‘Grand Slam’ of football award ceremonies alongside the Ballon d’Or and The Best FIFA Football Awards.
The day before the awards, on Saturday, December 28, the associated Dubai Sports Council’s 14th edition of Dubai International Sports Conference will host a wide range of speakers, from club owners to coaches, players and sponsors who will be discussing the future development of football.
ENDS
The 14 awards that will be presented during the ceremony on 29 December 2019:
Best Men's Player of the Year |
Best Women's Player of the Year |
Alisson Becker Bernardo Silva Cristiano Ronaldo Lionel Messi Mohamed Salah Sadio Mane Virgil van Dijk
|
Ada Hegerberg Alex Morgan Amadine Henry Lucy Bronze Marta Vieira Da Silva Megan Rapinoe Sari van Veenendaal
|
Best Club of the Year |
Best Agent of the Year |
Ajax Amsterdam Liverpool FC Olympique Lyonnais Feminin |
Federico Pastorello Jorge Mendes Mino Raiola
|
Best Coach of the Year |
Best Sporting Director |
Djamel Belmadi Erik Ten Hag Fernando Santos Jurgen Klopp Massimiliano Allegri
|
Andrea Berta Eric Abidal Igli Tare Marc Overmars Michael Edwards
|
Best Revelation Player |
Best Goalkeeper of the Year |
Ansu Fati Erling Haland Jadon Sancho Joao Felix Kai Havertz
|
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Player Career Award x 2 Coach Career Award Best Referee of the Year Sport Business Award Kooora - Best Arab Coach Award Kooora - Best Arab Player Award |
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About the Globe Soccer Awards
The annual Globe Soccer Awards were established in 2010 with the aim of recognising not just the best players and coaches, but also the people who work behind the scenes who had not previously been acknowledged. The great success of the event over the years has seen further categories added to the Awards list, and the event now honours all the best in football.
www.globesoccer.com