The Globe Soccer Awards are awards which acknowledge achievements in football.[2] It is organized by Globe Soccer and involves participation from international football organizations such as UEFA,[3][4]UAE Pro League,[4] ECA (European Clubs Association),[3][4] and EFAA (European Association of Football Agents) in an annual event held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.[5][6]
The annual ceremony of the event is attended by international football players, coaches, and celebrities.[7]
History
Founded in 2010 by Tommaso Bendoni, and co-owned by Ricardo Silva, the first edition of the Globe Soccer Awards started with three categories, expanding to six in 2011 and ten by 2012.[8] Over the years, the number of awards and categories has increased, mirroring the growth and diversification of global football.[8] The focus on women's football at the Globe Soccer Awards has also increased with specific categories introduced for achievements in women's football.[8]
Criticism
The Globe Soccer Awards have been criticized for alleged favoritism towards Cristiano Ronaldo, often at the expense of other deserving footballers. Over the years, multiple instances have fueled claims that the awards prioritize Ronaldo’s recognition over merit-based achievements, leading to a growing perception of bias.
One notable example occurred during the 2020 ceremony, where Ronaldo was controversially awarded the "Player of the Century" title. Critics argued that other players, such as Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta, had comparable or superior contributions to the sport during the same period. This decision was widely perceived as reflecting the awards’ preference for Ronaldo’s commercial appeal rather than objective evaluation of his achievements.[9]
Selection process
The awards are given to individuals and entities within the football industry for their achievements.[10] The selection process for award recipients involves two stages of voting, where football fans worldwide participate.[11] In the first stage, the public selects the finalists from a set of nominees.[10][11] In the second stage, the final decision is made by both public votes and a jury comprising football professionals such as journalists, agents, coaches, and ex-players.[10][12][11]
Winners
2010
In December 2010, during the closing gala, the Audi Football Night, the winners of the Globe Soccer Awards were announced:[13]
Similarly, at the Globe Soccer 2020 Awards ceremony, the organization decided to simultaneously award a series of special awards known as the 21st Century Awards, which seek to recognize the most important figures in football from 2001–2020. The award ceremony was attended by different personalities linked to the world of football, which highlights the president of FIFAGianni Infantino who had delivered a speech at the conference.[36][37]
