The stage is set for a showdown in the world of soccer as the Globe Soccer Awards Gala gears up to honor the best of the best in 2024. With the glamorous backdrop of Dubai’s Atlantis Hotel, top contenders Vinicius Junior and Rodri are set to battle for the prestigious Best Player award. Who will triumph? The countdown to this showdown has begun, and fans around the globe are buzzing with excitement!
Real Madrid and LaLiga Dominate the Finalists
When it comes to the best player category, Vinicius and Rodri aren’t alone. With over 100 million votes tallied from fans worldwide, a stellar lineup of 16 finalists has emerged. Five players from Real Madrid including Vinicius himself, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, and Toni Kroos showcase LaLiga’s dominance, while Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski, along with Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, add to the excitement. Rodri represents Manchester City alongside the reigning champion Erling Haaland, and other globe-trotting nominees like Salah, Kane, Lautaro, and football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi round out this exhilarating competition.
Spanish Managers Take Center Stage
Spanish tactical genius shines through in the Best Coach category, with five of the nine finalists hailing from Spain: Xabi Alonso, Luis Enrique, Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, and De la Fuente. However, Carlo Ancelotti stands as a formidable favorite, boasting five titles won with Real Madrid. In another thrilling category, the Emerging Player stands out, as 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, already making waves among the elite of world soccer, looks to fend off strong competition from Cubarsi, Güler, Garnacho, and Savinho. The anticipation is palpable!
A New Era for Strikers
This year’s gala has something unexpected in store: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are absent from the Best Striker category for the first time! The spotlight shifts to the likes of Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Vinicius Junior, Mohamed Salah, Lautaro Martinez, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Artem Dovbyk, and Phil Foden. Meanwhile, the Best Midfielder nominees bring a mix of experience and youth, featuring Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Dani Olmo, Federico Valverde, and even the retired Toni Kroos among the contenders.
Real Madrid and Barcelona Favorited for Club Honors
In club accolades, Real Madrid rides high as the frontrunner to dethrone Manchester City for the Best Club award. Other contenders include Bayer Leverkusen, Atalanta, Inter, Botafogo, Atletico Mineiro, and Al Ahly. On the women’s side, Barcelona seeks to capitalize on their stature as the reigning European champions, as they face off against Chelsea, Olympique Lyonnais, and Bayern Munich.
Aitana Bonmati Shines Again
In the race for Best Player among women, Barcelona shines brightly. With nearly half of the 12 finalists from their ranks, Aitana Bonmati is vying to keep her title, backed by Alexia Putellas and emerging talents like Salma Paralluelo, Graham Hansen, and Pajor.
VIP Tickets and Star-Studded Gala
In a historic twist, the Globe Soccer Dubai Gala opens its doors to the public for the first time ever! With 150 platinum tickets and 50 exclusive ‘Winners Circle’ passes available, lucky fans can experience the electrifying atmosphere and rub shoulders with football’s finest on the red carpet. Prices soar at €823 for platinum tickets and €2,195 for the coveted ‘Winners Circle’ access. Even better, 10% of the proceeds will benefit the Al Jalila Foundation, dedicated to advancing healthcare research.