Cristiano Ronaldo Presents Djokovic with the Globe Sports Award

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Tennis great Djokovic honored by football legend Ronaldo at star-studded Globe Soccer Awards gala in Dubai.

In a memorable moment at the 2025 Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, football icon Cristiano Ronaldo presented tennis legend Novak Djokovic with the inaugural Globe Sports Award, celebrating excellence that transcends individual sports. 

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Held at the Atlantis The Royal, the ceremony brought together some of the world’s top athletes, club officials and sporting personalities for a night honouring outstanding achievements in sport. After being named Best Middle East Player of the Year, Ronaldo took centre stage once more to pay tribute to Djokovic’s extraordinary career and enduring impact. 

Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, was visibly surprised and moved as Ronaldo, 40, presented him with the Globe Sports Award, a new distinction created to recognise sports icons whose careers reflect resilience, longevity and inspiration across generations. “For me, he is an example of longevity,” Ronaldo said, highlighting the parallels between their journeys at the top of their respective fields. 

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The Serbian champion expressed gratitude for the honour and praised Ronaldo’s own career achievements. “I’m very grateful to hear these words from him and to call him my friend,” Djokovic said, underscoring the mutual respect between two of sport’s all-time greats. 

Ronaldo also used the occasion to reflect on his own ambitions, reiterating his determination to continue scoring goals and pursuing personal milestones in football. 

Beyond this special accolade, the Globe Soccer Awards recognised excellence across multiple categories:

Football’s Biggest Winners

Paris Saint-Germain emerged as the night’s dominant force, with multiple honours recognising their outstanding 2025 season. French forward Ousmane Dembélé was named Best Men’s Player, capping a remarkable year that included a Ballon d’Or and a Champions League triumph. 

In the women’s game, Aitana Bonmatí continued her stellar run by being named Best Women’s Player, underlining her status as one of the sport’s leading figures. 

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Full List of Major Awards

  • Globe Sports Award: Novak Djokovic — presented by Cristiano Ronaldo 

  • Best Men’s Player: Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain)

  • Best Women’s Player: Aitana Bonmatí (FC Barcelona) 

  • Best Men’s Club: Paris Saint-Germain 

  • Best Women’s Club: FC Barcelona 

  • Best Coach: Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain) 

  • Best Midfielder: Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain) 

  • Best Forward: Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona) 

  • Emerging Player: Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain)

  • Best Middle East Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr) 

  • Best National Team: Portugal 

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  • Best Agent: Jorge Mendes 

  • Best Sporting Director: Luis Campos (PSG) 

  • Best Club President: Nasser Al-Khelaïfi (PSG)

  • Maradona Award: Lamine Yamal 

  • Comeback Award: Paul Pogba 

  • Career Achievement Awards: Andrés Iniesta and Hidetoshi Nakata 

  • Best Club Branding: Los Angeles Football Club 

  • Best Mental Coach: Nicoletta Romanazzi 

  • Best Academy: Right to Dream 

  • Best Content Creator: Bilal Haddad

The moment marked a symbolic celebration of cross-sport excellence and global sporting excellence, with Ronaldo and Djokovic representing the power of perseverance, passion and leadership both on and off the field.