Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Al Nassr captain, added another accolade to his storied career by securing the Best Middle Eastern Player Award, while Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal was recognized as the Best Emerging Player of the Year.

Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti was awarded Best Coach of the Year, and Jorge Mendes received the Best Football Agent Award, further cementing their influence in the football world.

READ ALSO:

• Vinicius should have won Ballon d’Or, not Rodri – Ronaldo
• Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
• Dangote, Tinubu, Lookman, Badenoch named among 100 most influential Africans in 2024

2024 Globe Soccer Award categories and winners

Alongside the standout men’s and women’s categories, here is a rundown of the other winners:

Best Men’s player (18 finalists): Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

Best Midfielder (11 nominees): Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

Best Forward (10 nominees): Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

Best Women’s player (12 finalists): Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona)

Best Men’s club (10 finalists): Real Madrid

Best Women’s club (4 finalists): Barcelona

Best Coach (7 finalists, all in men’s football): Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)

Best Emerging player (7 finalists, all men): Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

Best Agent (7 nominees): Jorge Mendes

Best Sporting Director (6 nominees): Piero Ausilio (Inter Milan)

Best Middle Eastern player (5 finalists): Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)

Best Middle Eastern coach: Jorge Jesus (Al Hilal)

Best Middle Eastern club (4 finalists): Al Ain

Revelation award: Olympiacos

Maradona Award: Jude Bellingham

“It was unfair in my opinion. I say here in front of everybody. They give it to Rodri, he deserved it too, but they should have given it to Vinícius because he won the Champions League and scored in the final.”

READ ALSOl

• Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
• Dangote, Tinubu, Lookman, Badenoch named among 100 most influential Africans in 2024
• Heavy security in Ilesa as ex-Osun deputy gov emerges new Owa-Obokun

Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win, attributed to his pivotal role in Manchester City’s historic treble-winning season, has sparked ongoing debates.

Ronaldo’s remarks have added weight to criticisms that the award often overlooks key performances in favour of broader narratives.

Vinicius’ absence from the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris this October, along with his Real Madrid teammates, was widely interpreted as a silent protest against perceived biases in the voting process.

Despite missing out on the Ballon d’Or, Vinícius has enjoyed an exceptional year.

The 24-year-old Brazilian winger was crowned FIFA’s The Best Men’s Player earlier this year and was recently named the Best Men’s Player at the Globe Soccer Awards.

His consistent performances, including his decisive goal in the Champions League final, have cemented his reputation as one of football’s most dynamic players.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who received the Best Middle East Player Award during the ceremony, praised the Globe Soccer Awards for their fairness and transparency.