Cristiano Ronaldo wins big at Dubai Globe Soccer Awards

Cristiano Ronaldo was one the stars of the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards in the UAE on Friday night, with the Al Nassr captain picking up three prizes.

The Portuguese superstar, who leads in both goals and assists in the 2023-24 Roshn Saudi League, was named Best Middle East Player, Fans’ Favourite Player and also was presented the Globe Soccer Maradona Award for most goals scored in 2023.

With 34 in 34 RSL matches for Nassr, Ronaldo ended the calendar year with 54 goals in total – more than any other player in men’s football.

Ronaldo was one of two RSL players who made the four-man short-list for the Best Middle East Player award, alongside Al Ahli winger Riyad Mahrez.

Speaking after collecting the trio of awards, Ronaldo said: “I did an amazing season. I have to say thank you to my teammates, my coaches, from at Al Nassr, from the Portugal national team.

“I feel so proud; I never won this trophy the Best Middle East Player. And [the] Maradona as well, so I will put with passion in my museum. Because it’s two special ones.

“I have to say thank you to my wife, to my kids, who deal with my every day. Sometimes I know I am a little bit boring, but it’s my job to be consistent every time.”

Referencing the Fans’ Favourite Award, Ronaldo said: “For me the most important thing in football is to make the fans happy, because it’s the people who go to the stadium to see goals, to see good games, and if they vote is because they have passion for football. 

“For me, it’s a special award, because most of the time we don’t think about the fans. Without you guys, football is nothing. So thank you very much voting for me.

“And keep supporting football and keep supporting Al Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo.”

Ronaldo also made the short-list for Best Men’s Player, together with Al Ittihad striker Karim Benzema, with the award going to Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.

Meanwhile, Al Hilal’s Yassine Bono was beaten to Best Goalkeeper by Manchester City counterpart Ederson, while both Al Hilal and Al Nassr were nominated for Best Middle East Club. The award went to Egypt’s Al Ahly.

Globe Soccer said the 14th edition of the awards received more than 70 million fan votes from 225-plus countries and territories.