Interest in next month’s annual Globe Soccer Dubai Awards, supported by the Dubai Sports Council, has reached an unprecedented level, with a record-equalling 70 million votes cast during the initial polling period. This surge in votes has determined the finalists across eight of the 12 main categories, setting the stage for a prestigious gala to be held alongside the 19th Dubai International Sports Conference on December 27 at Atlantis, The Palm.
The first round of public voting closed on Monday, witnessing more than double the votes compared to the same stage in 2023, with participation from over 200 countries worldwide. Additionally, the Globe Soccer mobile app has exceeded 1.5 million downloads, highlighting the event's global reach.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland is among the top contenders, aiming to retain his Best Men’s Player award at the 15th edition of the event. He faces stiff competition from club teammate Rodri, Real Madrid’s trio of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham, as well as legendary players Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Haaland is also in the running for the Best Forward category, alongside City colleague Phil Foden, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane. The Best Midfielder category includes Bellingham and Rodri, with Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Bayer Leverkusen’s Granit Xhaka also vying for the title.
The Best Women’s Player category features a 12-player shortlist, including Spain’s World Cup-winning duo Aitana Bonmatí and Salma Paralluelo, and Barcelona's Caroline Graham Hansen. Meanwhile, reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen and Spanish giants Real Madrid are among the clubs competing for Best Men’s Club, with FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the final four-shortlist for Best Women’s Club.
Fans have until December 10 to cast their votes for their favorites at vote.globesoccer.com. The final winners will be determined by a combination of fan votes and the Globe Soccer Jury, which includes legendary figures such as Marcello Lippi, Francesco Totti, Iker Casillas, and Luis Figo.
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