Why Ronaldo believes Dubai's Globe Soccer Awards is better than Ballon d'Dor

About hundred metres away from the grand stage at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards gala in Atlantis on Friday night, a barricade separated the VIP section from the platinum area.

Standing behind the barricade in the hall, a few kids raised their hands and screamed at the top of their lungs.

There was a palpable excitement as the awards gala was graced by the who’s who of world football — Neymar, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Lamine Yamal, Thibaut Courtois — as well as legendary former players Alessandro Del Piero and Rio Ferdinand.

While each one of these stars was greeted with loud cheers, the excitement reached fever pitch when Cristiano Ronaldo took the centre stage as cries of ‘siuuuu’ — the famous goal celebration of the Portuguese legend — reverberated around the hall.

Barely a month away from celebrating his 40th birthday, Ronaldo showed how advancing years have failed to make a dent in his star power.

Like a classic centre forward who rules the penalty box with predatory instincts, Ronaldo pounced on the opportunity to hit out at French Football, the football magazine which presents the Ballon d’Or, football's Oscars, to the best player of the season

Honest awards

Moments after Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior was named the best men’s player of the season at Globe Soccer Awards for his role in Real Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League triumphs this year, Ronaldo walked on to the stage to collect his special award for being the highest scorer — 916 goals — in football history.

Having received the award from Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, Ronaldo hailed Dubai for conducting a fair awards ceremony while questioning Ballon d’Or for ignoring Vinicius Junior.

The Brazilian was snubbed by Ballon d’Or this year as the award went to Spanish midfielder Rodri for his role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph and Manchester City’s glorious Premier League win — a decision that has since divided football world.

On Friday night, Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner who attained mythic status at Real Madrid with a staggering 438 goals and four Champions League titles, took a swipe at the French award committee for overlooking Vinicius Junior’s match-winning heroics for his former club.

“I really believe Vinicius deserved to win the Golden Ball (Ballon d’Or). It was not fair in my opinion. He scored so many goals and he also scored in the Champions League final (against Borussia Dortmund). So he should have got it, they should give you the award when you deserve it,” Ronaldo said before praising the Dubai awards committee.

“And this is why I love the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, they do it so well every year here. They do an honest award. So many champions have attended this event over the years because they always do a great event,” the Real Madrid legend added, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

The cheers got even louder when the 39-year-old stated his desire to continue playing football.

“I will be turning 40 soon, but I am still motivated to carry on with my work and score many more goals. I am not finished yet, I want to become the champion in Saudi Arabia now,” said the Al Nassr striker whose first season in Saudi ended without a trophy.

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