The Globe Soccer Awards have opened fan voting for their 16th edition in Dubai, featuring top names like Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Lamine Yamal. Beyond prestige, these awards increasingly influence sponsorship deals and athlete marketability in the booming sports economy.
Public voting is now open for the Globe Soccer Awards 2025, with winners to be announced on December 28 in Dubai. The event, backed by Beyond Developments, features 15 categories, including Best Player, Best Women’s Player, Best Coach and Best Emerging Player. Nominees include global icons such as Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Dembélé, alongside rising stars like Lamine Yamal and Warren Zaïre-Emery.
While often compared to the Ballon d’Or and FIFA The Best, Globe Soccer stands out for its fan-driven voting and Middle East focus, giving athletes additional visibility in emerging sponsorship markets. These awards are not just symbolic – they shape the athlete economy. Recognition at high-profile galas translates into stronger endorsement leverage, higher social media engagement, and premium positioning for global campaigns. Brands increasingly favor award-winning athletes for influencer partnerships, as data-driven sponsorship strategies prioritize visibility and authenticity.
Young stars turn awards into long-term sponsorship deals
For younger nominees, such as Yamal, a Globe Soccer win can accelerate their commercial trajectory, attracting long-term deals with performance and lifestyle brands. In an era where sponsorship revenue is projected to hit $92 billion by 2027, awards like these amplify an athlete’s brand equity, making them central to marketing strategies across apparel, footwear, and even tech sectors.
Globe Soccer Awards: From Dubai gala to global football institution
The Globe Soccer Awards, founded in 2010 in Dubai by Jorge Mendes, Riccardo Silva and Tommaso Bendoni, have become a prestigious annual event honouring excellence across all facets of football – players, coaches, clubs, agents, and executives. Organised by Globe Soccer with support from UEFA, ECA, EFAA and the Dubai Sports Council, the awards have grown significantly since their inception, expanding from just three categories in 2010 to more than 15 today, including recognition for women’s football, emerging players, and special career achievements.
Held at an annual gala in Dubai, the awards employ a two-stage voting process combining global fan participation with jury votes from journalists, coaches, and former players. Categories span Best Men’s Player, Best Women’s Player, Best Club, Best Coach, Best Agent and Emerging Player, amongst others.
Over the years, the awards have celebrated football’s biggest names, with Cristiano Ronaldo holding the record for most wins (six), dominating from 2011 to 2019. Other notable winners include Lionel Messi (2015), Robert Lewandowski (2020), Kylian Mbappé (2021 & 2024 Europe edition), Karim Benzema (2022), Erling Haaland (2023), and Vinícius Júnior (2024).
