Cristiano Ronaldo has been named men’s best player at the Dubai Globe Soccer awards, taking home the honour for a fourth successive year.
By Ronaldo’s own standards it’s been a modest 12 months, struggling to fully adapt to life in Serie A, and thus failing hit the goalscoring bar he sets for himself. This led to a third-place finish in the Ballon d’Or standings, with Lionel Messi and Virgil van Dijk ranking first and second, while the Dutchman also clinched the UEFA Player of the Year award.
However, it’s not all bad for Ronaldo, as after helping Juventus to Serie A in 2018/19, he can rely on one individual honour – the Dubai Globe Soccer Men’s Best Player, an award he has made his own, winning it in six of its nine seasons in existence.
“I have to thank my family, my girlfriend, my boy there, Cristiano, my three kids who are waiting for me in the hotel, my friends, my teammates of Juventus and the national team, my agent, all the people here tonight who support this gala,” Ronaldo said, as quoted by thenational.ae.
“I have to say thank you to the Arabic community, which is always great with me. I have to thank Dubai as well – it’s a marvellous place to be, I’m coming every year and I love this place.
“And finally to thank [everyone] who voted for me. It’s a great honour to be here and receive this amazing award. I hope to be here next year to receive this award, of course. Thanks to everyone, and a happy New Year.”
England and Lyon full-back Lucy Bronze won the inaugural Women’s Best Player award, after a remarkable year saw her get her hands on the Women’s Champions League and Division 1 Féminine, while also picking up a bronze medal with England at the summer’s World Cup.
Elsewhere it was a Liverpool clean sweep, as Jurgen Klopp, Alisson Becker and Liverpool themselves won the equivalent awards for best manager, goalkeeper, and overall best club.