Messi, Ronaldo, Benzema and Salah shortlisted for Dubai Globe Soccer Awards

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The shortlist of top international players and professionals has been announced by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) and Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, and football fans across the world can now vote for their favourites in the first round of public voting to decide the winners of the 13th edition of the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards.

The gala ceremony will take place on Thursday November 17, three days before the start of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Ahead of the awards, icons of the sport and decision makers who contribute to the success of international football, will gather for the star-studded 17th edition of the Dubai International Sports Conference, hosted once again by the Dubai Sports Council.

This year’s list of award categories includes the TikTok Fans' Player of the Year award, with Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah in the running.

For Best Men's Player of the Year and Best Women's Player of the Year nominees include Karim Benzema, Thibaut Courtois, Erling Haaland, Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze and Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas.

The France star Benzema won the Ballon d'Or winner at European football's glitzy ceremony in Paris on Monday.

There are 25 players in the running for the men's player, including all those who are up for the fans' trophy, as well as the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Kevin de Bruyne, Vinicius Junior and Neymar.

Twenty candidates are competing for the Best Men’s Club of the Year and ten for the Best Women's Club of the Year, with almost the entire European football aristocracy represented, alongside renowned clubs from South America and the Middle East.

Legendary giants such as Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola are nominated alongside Stefano Pioli in the Best Coach of the Year category.

Back for another edition is the Best President of the Year category with nominees including five of the most illustrious leaders in global football today - Pinto da Costa, Herbert Hainer, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Florentino Perez and Paolo Scaroni.

Two new awards, Power Horse Emerging Player of the Year will be closely watched with contenders such as Rafael Leao, Gavi, Victor Osimhen and Federico Valverde in the running, while the finalists for the CNN Off The Pitch Award will be announced in the coming weeks.

Best Sporting Director of the Year and Best Agent of the Year will award those who excel in recognising important aspects of the game, and they are joined by two new awards; Best Scout of the Year and Best Transfer Deal of the Year.

As in previous editions, a number of football legends will be presented with Career Awards in recognition of their outstanding contribution to football.