Vinicius Jr named player of the year at Dubai Globe Soccer Awards

Brazil and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr was star of the night as he received the best men's player award at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards on Friday.

On a star-studded evening in Palm Jumeirah, the biggest stars in the world of football assembled in the UAE as Vinicius capped a memorable year with another major award.

The Brazilian had earlier won the Fifa Best men's player of the year award earlier in the month.

The recognition went some way in making up for Vinicius missing out on the Ballon d'Or, which went to Manchester City midfielder Rodri.

Vinicius enjoyed a memorable year as he scored 24 goals and had 11 assists in 39 matches across all competitions as he led Real to the La Liga and Champions League double.

Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr was named the best player of the year at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards on Friday, December 27, 2024. AP
Portugal and Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards. AP
Cristiano Ronaldo received an award for being the all-time leading scorer. AP
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal in Dubai on Friday. AP
Real Madrid and England star Jude Belligham was named the best midfielder. AP
Real Madrid's Jude Belligham won the best midfielder and Maradona Award. AP
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal was named the best emerging player. AP

Having already wrapped up his third La Liga title in May, Vinicius helped secure the second Champions League trophy of his career as Real Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund in June.

Vinicius was also the top scorer for the Champions League winners with six goals in the competition.

"It is a pleasure to be with Ronaldo and Neymar. They are my idols. Very pleased with what I have achieved with Real Madrid," Vinicius said after receiving the award.

"I am also grateful to Flamengo and the Brazilian national team for their support over the years."

Other top players were also recognised for the performances in 2024. Portugal and Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo was recognised for being the all-time top scorer with 916 goals. He was also named the best Middle East player of 2024.

"It feels special to win this award. It is a pleasure to be here at this gala. A lot of champions here, great winners, young and old generation. To win this award for being the highest goalscorer gives me motivation to carry on and keep scoring goals," Ronaldo said.

"Thank you to my kids and family. In one month, I will be 40 years old, but I am not finished yet because I want to be a champion."

England and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham received the best midfielder and Maradona Award, while Barcelona's young superstar Lamine Yamal won the best emerging player award.

There was more recognition for Real Madrid as Carlo Ancelotti was named the coach of the year.

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid presented the awards to the winners at the grand ceremony at Atlantis, The Palm.

Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2024 Winners:

Best Men’s Player: Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid and Brazil)

Best Women’s Player: Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona and Spain)

Best Coach: Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)

Best Middle East Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr and Portugal)

Best Middle East Coach: Jorge Jesus (Al Hilal)

Revelation Club Awards: Olympiacos

Best Men’s Club: Real Madrid

Best Women’s Club: FC Barcelona

Best Midfielder: Jude Bellingham (England and Real Madrid)

Best Forward: Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid and Brazil)

Best Sporting Director: Piero Ausilio (Inter Milan)

Best Agent: Jorge Mendes

Best Middle East Club: Al Ain

Emerging Player: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain)

Maradona Award: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid and England)

Top Goalscorer of all Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr and Portugal)

Special Career Award: Alessandro Del Piero

Special Career Award: Florentino Perez (Real Madrid)

Player Career Award: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid and Belgium)

Player Career Award: Neymar

Player Career Award: Rio Ferdinand

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Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
Travel distance: Limited
Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
Duration: Can linger for days
Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
Source: Can be carried from distant regions

While you're here

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Sheikh Mohamed and the King of Malaysia in 1979

Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

The biog

Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer

Marital status: Single

Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran

Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food

Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo

Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish

Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com

Why the Tourist Club?

Originally, The Club (which many people chose to call the “British Club”) was the only place where one could use the beach with changing rooms and a shower, and get refreshments.

In the early 1970s, the Government of Abu Dhabi wanted to give more people a place to get together on the beach, with some facilities for children. The place chosen was where the annual boat race was held, which Sheikh Zayed always attended and which brought crowds of locals and expatriates to the stretch of beach to the left of Le Méridien and the Marina.

It started with a round two-storey building, erected in about two weeks by Orient Contracting for Sheikh Zayed to use at one these races. Soon many facilities were planned and built, and members were invited to join.

Why it was called “Nadi Al Siyahi” is beyond me. But it is likely that one wanted to convey the idea that this was open to all comers. Because there was no danger of encountering alcohol on the premises, unlike at The Club, it was a place in particular for the many Arab expatriate civil servants to join. Initially the fees were very low and membership was offered free to many people, too.

Eventually there was a skating rink, bowling and many other amusements.

Frauke Heard-Bey is a historian and has lived in Abu Dhabi since 1968.