Real Madrid the big winners at Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai

Real Madrid the big winners at Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai
Real Madrid were the big winners at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai. (Supplied)
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Updated 28 December 2024
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Real Madrid the big winners at Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai

Real Madrid the big winners at Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai
  • Vinicius Jr wins Best Men’s Player and Best Forward after year to remember on glittering evening at Atlantis, The Palm
  • Cristiano Ronaldo takes Top Goalscorer of All Time awards, joins Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois on stage as part of 19th Dubai International Sports Conference

DUBAI: Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr added to his growing personal trophy collection in Dubai on Friday night, with Jude Bellingham and Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo the other big winners at the 2024 Beyond Globe Soccer Dubai Awards, held in conjunction with the 19th Dubai International Sports Conference.

Vinicius Jr went home with the Best Men’s Player and Best Forward awards after enjoying the best goalscoring season of his career in 2023-24, finishing with 24 goals and contributing nine assists in 39 matches for Real Madrid. At 23 years and 325 days, the Brazilian also broke Lionel Messi’s record as the youngest player to score in multiple Champions League finals, leading the Spaniards to their 15th European title.

“It was such a faraway dream that it seemed impossible for me,” said Vinicius Jr. “I was just a little kid who used to play barefoot in the streets of Sao Gonçalo. I grew up in a poor place, surrounded by crime, so to be here is something very important to me because I’m not only representing Brazil but all the kids out there with the same dream.”

Bellingham, meanwhile, took home the Best Midfielder and the Maradona Award following an outstanding calendar year, which saw the 21-year-old lift the LaLiga title and maiden Champions League in his first season at Los Blancos, as well as the Supercopa de Espana and UEFA Super Cup. The former Birmingham City prodigy also helped England reach the final of the European Championship, contributing with some key goals along the way.

“Thank you to Globe Soccer for inviting me to this awards ceremony,” added Bellingham. “It’s amazing to see so many great players and legends, and it’s a real privilege to win a trophy here tonight as well. It wouldn’t be possible without my teammates, my staff, and most importantly, my family. My mum, who is here tonight, is the biggest motivation in my life.”

Al-Nassr forward Ronaldo clinched the Best Middle East Player for a second successive year, as well as being awarded the prestigious Top Goalscorer of All Time accolade, with the legendary forward currently standing on 917 career goals following his most recent strike against Al-Ittihad.

“I am always happy to be here because I think you do it as a fantastic gala. You can see all the champions here. I think it’s fantastic. Congratulations to all,” said Ronaldo. “In terms of the trophy, I have to say thank you to my teammates, my team. In terms of individual, I did very well, but for me, it’s not enough. My main goal is to win a trophy for Al-Nassr.”

The 15th edition of the star-studded awards took place on Palm Jumeirah, and alongside the Real Madrid representatives and Ronaldo, this year’s event attracted a number of football stars of past and present, including Brazil and Al-Hilal forward Neymar, Barcelona and Spain winger Lamine Yamal, former England manager Fabio Capello, and Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand.

The Beyond Globe Soccer Dubai Awards garnered more than 100 million votes cast by fans from more than 200 countries and territories, eclipsing the previous record of 70 million.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancellotti won Best Coach for the second time in three years, as FC Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati retained the Best Women’s Player award. Yamal, meanwhile, was duly recognized as Emerging Player.

Earlier in the evening, Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois joined Ronaldo on stage to discuss “talented football” as part of the Dubai International Sports Conference.

“In the beginning, when I arrived at Manchester United, I was a very skillful player, dribbling a lot, and I realized that it was good for the show, but football is more than that,” Ronaldo commented. “When you have a dream to achieve big things, you need to be more effective, and this is what I planned to do. I started to see examples there in the club, like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. And I took some good ideas.

“And, as I say all the time, of course, you’re never going to be a football player if you only have talent. Talent is the main word to achieve success. But the other things, which I consider more important, are the ethics of work. I dedicated all my life to that because I know I can improve year by year.”

Other winners on the night included Al-Hilal’s Jorge Jesus, who was awarded Best Middle East Coach; while Al-Ain received Best Middle East Club and FC Barcelona were crowned Best Women’s Club once more.

“This is a landmark edition for the Globe Soccer Dubai Awards and once again I am immensely proud to see the world of football come out in force here in Dubai to recognize and celebrate the sport’s best operators and is testament to the growing reputation of the Awards itself and the appeal of Dubai as a destination,” said Tommaso Bendoni, founder and CEO of Globe Soccer.

“I would like to thank Dubai Sports Council for their valuable help and continuous support throughout the past 15 years, with a record response from fans during the voting period reinforcing our commitment to honouring the extraordinary talents that make football a global phenomenon.”

Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2024 Winners:

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

Best Women’s Player: Aitana Bonmati (FC 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 FC

Best Men’s Club: Real Madrid

Best Women’s Club: FC Barcelona

Best Midfielder: Jude Bellingham (England and Real Madrid)

Best Forward: Vinicius Jr

Best Sporting Director: Piero Ausilio (Inter Milan)

Best Agent: Jorge Mendes

Best Middle East Club: Al-Ain FC

Emerging Player: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain)

Maradona Award: Jude Bellingham

Top Goalscorer of all Time: Cristiano Ronaldo

Special Career Award: Alessandro Del Piero

Special Career Award: Florentino Perez

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

Player Career Award: Neymar Jr (Al-Hilal and Brazil)

Player Career Award: Rio Ferdinand


Medvedev into first quarter-final of 2025 in Marseille

Medvedev into first quarter-final of 2025 in Marseille
Updated 30 sec ago
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Medvedev into first quarter-final of 2025 in Marseille

Medvedev into first quarter-final of 2025 in Marseille

MARSEILLE: Former world number one Daniil Medvedev reached his first quarter-final of 2025 in Marseille on Thursday as China’s Zhang Zhizhen stunned fourth seed Hubert Hurkacz.
Eighth-ranked Medvedev defeated French qualifier Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-2, 6-4 in a repeat of the 2021 final, which Medvedev also won.
Medvedev, playing in Marseille on a wild card after second round exits at the Australian Open and in Rotterdam, is seeking his first title since Rome in 2023.
“Funny enough we have played five times on tour and three times in Marseille,” Medvedev said.
“It is where we meet all the time and I am happy that I played at a good level. Did not lose my serve and happy to win.”
He will next play Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff, who saw off French player Hugo Grenier 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, for a place in the semifinals.
Zhang belied his ranking of 52 to stun Hurkacz 6-4, 6-7 (1/7), 6-3 in a big-hitting battle in which he cracked 37 winners to the Pole’s 30 during their two-hour, eight-minute clash.
“I felt great on court today, it was the same goal as the first match, I tried to put the match to the tie-break, and that’s how I wanted to play,” said Zhang, who reached the quarter-finals in Marseille in 2024.
“I guess I like it here, two years in the quarters.”
Zhang next faces Belgium’s Zizou Bergs who defeated Portugal’s Nuno Borges 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2.


Somi Lee leads way at PIF Saudi Ladies International, Team Kyriacou set the pace

Somi Lee leads way at PIF Saudi Ladies International, Team Kyriacou set the pace
Updated 14 February 2025
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Somi Lee leads way at PIF Saudi Ladies International, Team Kyriacou set the pace

Somi Lee leads way at PIF Saudi Ladies International, Team Kyriacou set the pace
  • 7-under-par for leader in opening round at Riyadh

RIYADH: Korea’s Somi Lee surged to the top of the leaderboard at the PIF Saudi Ladies International on Thursday, delivering a flawless 7-under-par 65 in the opening round at Riyadh Golf Club.

The 26-year-old’s performance gives her a one-shot lead over Germany’s Esther Henseleit and England’s Annabell Fuller.

Lee set the tone early, reaching 4-under on the front nine before sinking three crucial birdie putts in the final four holes to cap off a near-perfect round. Fresh off a top-15 finish at last week’s Founders Cup, she remains focused on the task ahead.

“I don’t want to think about what has passed. I just want to think about what’s coming, and that’s my main focus,” Lee said.

Alongside the individual battle, the PIF Saudi Ladies International features a unique team format, with 28 teams of four competing for a $500,000 prize fund. The best two scores on each hole contribute to the team total, adding an exciting dynamic to the event.

A brilliant team effort from Stephanie Kyriacou’s squad propelled them into the lead. The Australian, a two-time Ladies European Tour winner, combined with Germany’s Olivia Cowan, Czechia’s Sara Kouskova, and England’s Liz Young to post a team-best -17.

“We ‘ham and egged’ really well,” Kyriacou said, after closing her round with four birdies in the last five holes to boost her team’s total. Cowan also delivered a dazzling display, carding eight birdies, including a near ace at the par-3 17th.

She added: “I wasn’t really doing much for the first 14 holes but I was able to turn it on (in) the last few that will help us going into Friday.”

Close behind in second place is Team Lee, led by individual leader Somi Lee, whose 65 was backed up by an impressive 67 from Minsun Kim. They were joined by France’s Nastasia Nadaud and England’s Amy Taylor.

One of the day’s biggest highlights came from Thailand’s April Angurasaranee, who celebrated her first-ever hole-in-one. The 20-year-old struck a perfect 6-iron at the par-3 sixth hole, much to the delight of her team captain Moriya Jutanugarn.

The PIF Saudi Ladies International continues to break new ground, with an equal prize fund to the men’s event.

Round two tees off on Friday, as the world’s best battle for both individual and team glory in Riyadh.


Newcomer Duran stars as 10-man Al-Nassr defeat Al-Ahli

Newcomer Duran stars as 10-man Al-Nassr defeat Al-Ahli
Updated 14 February 2025
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Newcomer Duran stars as 10-man Al-Nassr defeat Al-Ahli

Newcomer Duran stars as 10-man Al-Nassr defeat Al-Ahli
  • 2 goals from the newcomer help secure an impressive away win that keeps Al-Nassr in 3rd place
  • Earlier, 4th-place Al-Qadsiah came from a goal behind and a man down to win 3-2 at Al-Shabab

Al-Nassr won 3-2 at Al-Ahli on Thursday to keep their the Saudi Pro League title hopes alive. Two goals from new signing Jhon Duran made the difference in Jeddah as the Riyadh side came away with an impressive victory despite playing with 10 men for almost the entire second half.

It means Al-Nassr remain in third place, just three points behind Al-Hilal and five behind league leaders Al-Ittihad, who play tomorrow and Saturday respectively.

The home fans were on their feet in the sixth minute when Riyad Mahrez fired home after running on to a long ball out of defense, but the former Manchester City star was offside.

Duran made no such mistake just after the half-hour mark. Ayman Yahya slipped a pass to the Colombian, who controlled the ball on the edge of the area and spun around in one swift movement before unleashing a shot that ended up in the bottom corner.

Just after the restart, Al-Ahli had a goal ruled out by the video assistant referee, but a red card handed to Al-Nassr defender Mohammed Simakan, for an elbow on Ivan Toney, stood.

Toney got his revenge in the 78th minute, when he climbed majestically at the far post to head home a Gabri Veiga cross from the left, finally defeating an impressive Bento in goal.

The home fans might have expected Al-Ahli to continue to push forward in search of a win but it was to be the visitors who would score next, twice.

Yahya was up first, hitting the net on the second attempt after his first-time shot from the corner of the six-yard box was parried by Edouard Mendy.

Then, just before the end of the regulation 90 minutes, Duran produced a goal to remember. Running from the halfway line, he beat two defenders as if they were not there and then stroked a low shot home from just inside the area, sending the away fans wild with delight. It was a goal worthy of winning any game.

Sumaihan Al-Nabit pulled one back in the eighth minute of added time but it was too little too late for fifth-place Al-Ahli, who have otherwise been in great form in the league.

Earlier, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saw red but his Al-Qadsiah teammates showed their mettle by coming from a goal behind and a man down to win 3-2 at Al-Shabab.

The Gabonese goal-getter was sent off with 11 minutes remaining, and his team 2-1 behind, but late goals from Ali Hazazi and Julian Quinones delivered a famous victory. Al-Qadsiah remain in fourth place in the league, trailing Al-Nassr only on goal difference.
 


‘Block that noise’: Ex-captain Sarfaraz advises Pakistan to hold nerves during India clash 

‘Block that noise’: Ex-captain Sarfaraz advises Pakistan to hold nerves during India clash 
Updated 13 February 2025
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‘Block that noise’: Ex-captain Sarfaraz advises Pakistan to hold nerves during India clash 

‘Block that noise’: Ex-captain Sarfaraz advises Pakistan to hold nerves during India clash 
  • Pakistan face India on Feb. 23 in Dubai for Champions Trophy 2025 Group A clash 
  • Under Sarfaraz Ahmed’s leadership in 2017, Pakistan beat India to win Champions Trophy

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan cricket captain Sarfaraz Ahmed advised the green shirts to head into their highly anticipated Champions Trophy clash against India by keeping their nerves in check and avoiding the added pressure, the International Cricket Council (ICC) reported on Thursday. 

India and Pakistan will take the field against each other in Dubai on Feb. 23 for their Champions Trophy Group A clash. One of the fiercest rivalries in sport, cricket matches between the two countries draw thousands to stadiums across the world, and millions to TV sets. 

Pakistan will begin their title defense against New Zealand on Feb. 19 in Karachi. Under Ahmed’s leadership in 2017, Pakistan beat India to lift the Champions Trophy that year in a one-sided clash. 

“Whenever we meet, it is a special occasion and there is so much hype and pressure around it,” Ahmed wrote in a column for the ICC.

“But as players, you need to stay calm, try and block that noise out, and just play with the same intensity as you would play Australia or any other team.”

Ahmed said Pakistan have a strong team and a really good chance of successfully defending the trophy. 

“Some of the boys from 2017 are still there and we’re talking about some of the best – especially Babar Azam,” he said, referring to Pakistan’s most prolific ODI batter. 

Ahmed noted that Azam was more mature and formidable than he was in 2017. 

“His batting will be so important for Pakistan and so will Fakhar Zaman’s,” he said, referring to Pakistan’s left-handed aggressive opening batter. 

He said left-armer Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf are both “brilliant bowlers.”

“The captain, Mohammad Rizwan, is also a wicketkeeper-batter, which worked pretty well for me back in 2017!” he said. 

The green shirts will face New Zealand in the final of an ongoing tri-nation series involving South Africa on Friday in Karachi. 

The tri-nation series is a warm-up before the Champions Trophy kicks off next week. 


Sale of The Hundred hits the jackpot

Sale of The Hundred hits the jackpot
Updated 13 February 2025
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Sale of The Hundred hits the jackpot

Sale of The Hundred hits the jackpot
  • Rancor over The Hundred concept mitigated as 8 clubs paid eye-watering sums by investors for stakes in the tournament

It feels like the end of the beginning for The Hundred. Eye-watering sums were paid between Feb. 6 and 12 for shares in the eight “franchises” that constitute the tournament.

There is no denying that it has been a divisive and polarizing concept. However, in what has been described as the Indian Premier League moment for cricket in England and Wales, there is partial closure on this rancor because of the amount of money that has been raised. The next concern is how it will be spent by the beneficiaries.

In first place are the seven County Cricket Clubs, plus the Marylebone Cricket Club, which hold the franchises, the so-called hosts. It has always been something of a misnomer to term them franchisees since the tournament has been owned by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

The ECB footed the start-up costs, a significant part of which were payments of £1.3 million ($1.6 million) per year to the 18 counties to secure the necessary two-thirds majority. Eleven of them are non-hosting and were not in favor of The Hundred because it provided them no benefit. The funding, termed a dividend, overcame objections.

In 2024, the counties supported the ECB in its wish to open up The Hundred to private investment. Eight new companies were to be created, with the ECB gifting each one 51 percent of its equity, which the holders can either keep, sell partially or wholly. The balance of 49 percent retained by the ECB would be offered to the market. This process is now complete.

First to be sold was the Oval Invincibles at Surrey, where the Reliance Group paid £60 million for the ECB’s 49 percent stake. Reliance is led by Mukesh Ambani, India’s richest man, who counts the Mumbai Indians, MI Emirates, MI Cape Town and MI New York within his franchise portfolio. Surrey CCC will retain its 51 percent share.

Similarly, Warwickshire CCC retained its 51 percent share in Birmingham Phoenix, with the ECB’s 49 percent share bought by the American owners of Birmingham City Football Club, Knighthead Capital, for £40 million. This may not please supporters of Aston Villa, the rival soccer club in the city.

Then, the ECB’s 49 percent share in the Welsh Fire was bought by IT entrepreneur Sanjay Govil, founder and chairman of Infinite Computer Solutions, for £40 million, with Glamorgan CCC retaining its 51 percent share.

These sums were eclipsed by the £145 million which was paid by a Silicon Valley consortium for 49 percent of the Lord’s-based London Spirit. It is believed that this stake was the subject of intense bidding between interested parties, including Sanjiv Goenka’s RPSG Group. The attraction of this prestige stake lies in the access that it provides to Lord’s and its owners, the MCC.

Nikesh Arora, CEO of the security firm, Palo Alto Networks, led the consortium, called Cricket Investor Networks Ltd. It is believed to comprise “11 high net-worth individuals,” who profess a shared love of cricket. Amongst them are Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft; Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google; Shantanu Narayen, CEO of Adobe; Egon Durban, CEO of Silver Lake Management; and Satyan Gajwani, vice-chairman of Times Internet. He is also co-founder of Major League Cricket in the US and co-owner of the Seattle Orcas team.

Any disappointment experienced by Goenka in losing the battle for the stake in the London Spirit was put to one side, as it acquired a 70 percent stake in Lancashire CCC. The county became the first one to sell a part, 21 percent, of its share in the Manchester Originals. RPSG, owners of the IPL’s Lucknow Super Giants, agreed to pay around £81 million for the 70 percent stake.

Across the Pennines, Yorkshire CCC, Lancashire’s historic and greatest rivals, has well-publicized financial issues. It now has the opportunity to deal with them. The ECB’s 49 percent stake in the Leeds-based Northern Superchargers, plus Yorkshire’s 51 percent stake, has all been sold to Kalanithi Maran’s Sun Group, owners of Sunrisers Hyderabad and Sunrisers Eastern Cape for around £100 million.

A little further south, it was Nottingham-based Trent Rockets’ turn in the spotlight. This sale had originally been scheduled for Feb. 3 but was delayed as the ECB sought to keep investors, who had failed with earlier bids, involved in the process. This may have caused some nervousness in Nottingham CCC, as they watched potentially preferred bidders place their money elsewhere.

Ultimately, Cain International, which had bid for the London Spirit, topped the live auction on Feb. 11, acquiring the ECB’s 49 percent stake for around £40 million in competition with the owners of Kolkata Knight Riders and Indian investor Amit Jain, who was working with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

The Cain Group is led by Chelsea FC director Jonathan Goldstein and backed by Chelsea’s co-owner Todd Boehly, who, in addition to Chelsea, has co-ownership of Strasbourg FC and the LA Dodgers baseball team. Nottingham Forest FC may feel uncomfortable seeing Chelsea parked on an adjacent lawn.

The final sale of the ECB’s equity focused on the Southern Brave team of Hampshire CCC. In late September 2024, the company that owns Hampshire CCC announced a takeover by the GMR Group, which co-owns the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, plus franchises in the UAE and South Africa. The £120 million deal was for the control of Hampshire CCC and its infrastructure. Plans to acquire the Brave would wait until the ECB’s sale process was revealed.

A key concern of the ECB was that its equity share should not be acquired by GMR at below-market value. Since that value would only emerge once bidding started, it made sense for the ECB to leave the Hampshire sale until last. On Feb. 12, it was reported that GMR had paid around £48 million for the ECB’s stake, paving the way for GMR to acquire total control of the Southern Brave. The value of Hampshire’s 51 percent share is unclear.

There is more clarity around the funds raised by the sale of the ECB’s equity. Based on data so far released, it appears that almost £500 million has been raised. This will be music to the ears of the second and third groups of potential beneficiaries, the 11 non-hosting counties and grassroots cricket.

Ninety percent of funds from the sale of the ECB’s 49 percent stake will go to the 18 counties and the MCC, with 10 percent going to the recreational game. Eighty percent of funds raised from sales of the 51 percent stakes go to the host county, with 10 percent split between the 18 counties and MCC and 10 percent going to the recreational game.

Over the next eight weeks, the four IPL and four non-IPL owners will finalize their agreements with the host counties. This is too late to have a significant impact on the 2025 season, regarded as a transitional one. No doubt, at the top of discussions, will be re-branding, attracting players, and their salaries, alongside the distribution of responsibilities between the hosts and the new investors.

Whilst not a new beginning, it seems clear that English and Welsh cricket will never be the same again.