Egyptian footballer Mohamed Salah was among a number of players who were honoured with a projection on Dubai's Burj Khalifa on Thursday.
It came after the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, where Karim Benzema and Alexia Putellas were named the best men and women players in a glittering ceremony at Madinat Jumeirah.
"The @BurjKhalifa lighting up the skies with some of football's biggest legends," the event organisers wrote on the awards' official Twitter account, alongside several photos of the projections. "Have you seen anything more beautiful? We'll wait."
Burj Khalifa is often lit up in celebration of important moments, including world national days and new movie releases.
In June, veteran Indian actor Kamal Haasan, who was in Dubai to promote his highly anticipated film Vikram, attended a special preview of the action thriller, which was beamed on to the facade of Burj Khalifa.
In February, a light show featuring Arabic calligraphy reflecting the Museum of the Future's exterior, designed by acclaimed Emirati artist Mattar Bin Lahej, marked the opening of the new museum.
People have even proposed to their spouses this way, including Ibrahim Zoroub, who pulled off a proposal of staggering heights when he asked his fiancee, Kamilla Bakytova, to marry him via an 828-metre projection. When the dazzling light show began, Bakytova was stunned to see the words “Kamilla, look behind you!” flash up on the building’s facade before turning to find Zoroub on bended knee with a Dh1.6 million diamond ring.
France striker Benzema was picked on Thursday for his outstanding performances in 2022 in which his 44 goals in 46 games led Real Madrid to La Liga and Champions League success while Spain midfielder Putellas for her central role in Barcelona’s success last season.
The 13th annual awards honoured international footballers and professionals from across the world for their talent and hard work over the past year, alongside players who have been integral to the success of the game for many years.
TikTok fans once again voted in their millions, this year choosing Liverpool forward and Egypt captain Salah as their TikTok Fans' Player of the Year winner.
A total of 22 awards were presented during the star-studded ceremony, with three of the sport’s biggest names honoured for their outstanding contribution in recent years and presented with Player Career Awards.
Brazillian footballer Romario, who helped his country to win the 1994 World Cup, and the first player to score at least 100 goals for three different clubs; England and Manchester United record goalscorer, Wayne Rooney; and AC Milan's Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic were the recipients.
Scroll through the gallery below to see photos from the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2022
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Mohamed Salah won TikTok Fan's Player of the Year. Photo: Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2022 -
The image of Karim Benzema, winner of the Best Men's Player at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2022, adorns the Burj Khalifa. Photo: Dubai Globe Soccer Awards -
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was one of three players to win the Player Career Award. Photo: Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2022 -
Sergio Ramos won Best Defender of All Time. Photo: Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2022 -
Spanish legend Emilio Butragueno accepts Real Madrid's award for Best Men's Club of the Year. Photo: Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2022 -
Egypt and Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah attends Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2022. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Former England player and DC United manager Wayne Rooney attends Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2022. Rooney also won the Player Career Award. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Montpellier and France defender Mamadou Sakho attends Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2022. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Former Roma and Italy striker Francesco Totti attends Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2022. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sporting director Frederic Massara attends Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2022. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Head coach of Aston Villa Unai Emery attends Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2022. Emery received the Coach Career Award. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Former Real Madrid and Spain striker Emilio Butragueno attends Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2022. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Football agent Rene Ramos attends Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2022. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Former Arsenal and France defender Bacary Sagna attends Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2022. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović attends Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2022. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
PSG defender Sergio Ramos with wife Pilar Rubio attend Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2022. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Former AC Millan and Italy defender Paolo Maldini attends Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2022. Maldini and sport director Frederic Massara jointly received the Sporting Director Awrd for their work at the Italian club AC Milan. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Former Brazil player Romário attends Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2022. Chris Whiteoak / The National
