Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be among a host of past and present football legends in attendance at this year’s Globe Soccer Dubai Awards.
The 39-year-old is set to make the short journey from his home in Saudi Arabia to Dubai to attend the prestigious event held at Atlantis, The Palm on December 27.
Over 1,000 guests will be in attendance for the glitzy ceremony with Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal and Rio Ferdinand also on the star-studded guestlist.
Fifteen lucrative awards will be handed out on the night – including the crowning of the best men and women’s player in the world.
A record-breaking 100 million votes have been cast by fans from more than 200 countries and territories.
Cristiano Ronaldo, pictured at the Dubai Soccer Awards in January, is set to attend the gala
The great and the good of the game will be in attendance at Atlantis, The Palm on December 27
A record 100 million votes were cast to decide the world’s best players at the awards with Ballon d’Or winner Rodri in contention
Additionally, the Globe Soccer mobile app has surpassed 1.5 million downloads, underlining the event’s global appeal.
Fans across the world had until December 10 to have their say and the winners will be determined by a combination of fan votes and the Globe Soccer Jury, made up of legendary names such as Marcello Lippi, Francesco Totti, Iker Casillas and Luis Figo.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland was named the best men’s player of the year at the previous iteration of the awards in January, while Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati picked up the top women’s gong.
Pep Guardiola, who is having a season to forget by his own high standards, was crowned the best coach while his reigning Premier League champions were named the best club.
The European edition of the awards – held in Sardinia, Italy in May – saw Kylian Mbappe and Xabi Alonso named as the best men’s footballer and coach respectively.
Two English stars will be hoping to receive the women’s player of the year award this month
Ballon d’Or winner Rodri is among the favourites to win the top award on Friday with the Spaniard facing competition from the likes of Ronaldo, Bellingham, and Vinicius Junior.
Rodri narrowly beat Vinicius Jr to the Ballon d’Or in October after helping Spain win Euro 2024 as well as dominate the Premier League and Europe with Manchester City. Real Madrid boycotted the awards after learning of Rodri’s triumph.
The Manchester City midfielder, who is expected to be out for the season after tearing his ACL in September, is one of four Premier League representatives on this year’s shortlist with team-mate Haaland, Cole Palmer and Mohamed Salah also in the running.
Lucy Bronze and Lauren James will be flying the flag for England as they compete for the title of women’s player of the year with Alexia Putellas and Khadija Shaw among the other contenders.
