PSG Celebrates Remarkable Success at Globe Soccer Gala

The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was rightfully celebrated at the 16th edition of the Globe Soccer Gala, held yesterday at the modern Royal Palm Hotel in Dubai, where MARCA served as the official newspaper. Having secured six titles in an almost perfect season—including the Champions League, Intercontinental Cup, UEFA Super Cup, French Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Trophée des Champions—the team, led by Luis Enrique, narrowly missed out on the new Club World Cup. To illustrate the significance of this achievement, it is noteworthy that only two teams in football history have previously managed to claim six titles in a single season: Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona in 2009 and Hansi Flick’s Bayern Munich in 2020.

Thus, the Globe Soccer Gala was a tribute to the French champions, who have endured a challenging decade to finally claim the coveted European Cup. In addition to the six titles, PSG collected seven awards in Dubai, including Best Player (Ousmane Dembélé), Best Coach (Luis Enrique), Best Club, Best Midfielder (Vitinha), Best Young Player (Desire Doué), Best Sporting Director (Luis Campos), and Best President (Nasser Al-Khelaifi). Al-Khelaifi reflected on their arduous journey, stating, “It has been a great trip; after many years of hard work, we have finally achieved this important victory. It is not about individualism; it’s about collective effort.” He added that if he could turn back the clock ten years, he would change nothing, emphasizing that today’s generation embodies a different philosophy and concluded with a call for continued humility.

Ousmane Dembélé, who received the Best Player award, acknowledged the exceptional nature of the past year despite the difficulties faced early in the season. “When challenges arise, it’s important to keep fighting,” he remarked. Vitinha was recognized as the Best Midfielder for his visually pleasing and generous style of play. Best Young Player Desire Doué expressed, “I am living a dream,” and committed to working hard to become the best in the world. Notably, Luis Enrique did not attend the Gala nor send a message of gratitude, a situation similarly mirrored by Aitana Bonmatí, who won the Best Female Player award for the third consecutive year. The absence of messages from both awardees surprised attendees, as their awards went almost unnoticed. Meanwhile, Barcelona retained its title as Best Women’s Club, despite not winning the Champions League.

Lamine received three awards: Best Young Player in La Liga, Best Forward, and the Maradona Award at the Globe Soccer Gala. He refrained from making comparisons, stating, “It’s better not to compare yourself with anyone; players like Cristiano have achieved greatness by being themselves.” Lamine also acknowledged the pressure he now feels as an important player, reflecting on his journey from being the newcomer to a pivotal team member. Additionally, Andrés Iniesta and Hidetoshi Nakata were honored for their remarkable careers in football.

Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded Best Player in the Middle East and expressed his determination to reach 1,000 career goals, showcasing his enduring stamina. He also introduced a new award, Globe Sport, which recognizes top athletes beyond football. In its inaugural edition, the award was presented to his friend, Novak Djokovic, who expressed surprise upon being informed of the honor days prior. The Serbian tennis star shared that at age 38, training can be challenging, but seeing Ronaldo’s dedication serves as a significant motivation for everyone.

A particularly poignant moment during the Gala occurred when renowned agent Jorge Mendes invited Joaquín and Isabel, the parents of the late Diogo Jota, to the stage to accept a special award honoring the tragically deceased Liverpool player. Diogo Jota lost his life in July alongside his brother André Silva in a car accident in Zamora. The audience’s heartfelt applause following a video showcasing his career was a touching tribute to his memory.