Dubai: Cristiano Ronaldo picked up two Globe Soccer Awards at Madinat Jumeirah on Thursday for Player of the Year and Goal of the Year for his overhead kick against Juventus.
Didier Deschamps won Coach of the Year for winning the World Cup with France and both Brazilian Ronaldo and former England coach Fabio Capello won lifetime achievement awards.
A special career award went to Fifa deputy and former AC Milan and Croatia star Zvonimir Boban. Another France World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi also won a career award, while Liverpool’s Alisson, who wasn’t present, won best keeper.
Atletico Madrid won Club of the Year, best sporting director went to Juventus’ Fabio Paratici, while Jorge Mendes won agent of the year.
Arab Referee of the Year
Emirati referee, Mohammad Abdullah, who officiated at the World Cup won Arab referee of the year, and former Saudi Arabia striker Sami Al Jaber won an Arab Career Award.
Ronaldo said of his awards: “It’s been a tough year. I’ve won so many trophies this year, the Champions League. It was an unbelievable year again, so I’m glad to win one more trophy.
“2019 is a new year, I dream of winning many more important trophies with Juventus, so I’m glad about what happened in 2018 but it’s finished, it’s done.
“I’m a person that likes a challenge. My life is now with Juventus and I want to win as much as I can.
“Thanks to everyone, especially the Arab people who received me very well in this beautiful country and of course the young boys, who play football. First of all I play for my friends and family, but the young boys motivate me and make me play good, score goals and do dribbles, because the kids, they are the future.”
Of the award for his goal, he added: “People who understand football know how difficult it is to score this goal. I’ve scored nearly 700 goals and this is the best.”
