Erling Haaland is player of the year as Man City dominate Dubai Globe Soccer Awards

Manchester City dominated the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards on Palm Jumeirah on Friday night, with striker Erling Haaland collecting Best Men’s Player – although Al Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo did pick up a trio of honours, too.

The 14th edition of the awards, taking place at Atlantis, The Palm, and staged in partnership with Dubai Sports Council, saw City sweep six prizes, with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak named Best President, Pep Guardiola Best Coach, and the treble-winners Best Men’s Club. Rodri also took Best Midfielder, with Ederson named Best Goalkeeper.

The success commemorated City’s incredible 2022/23 season in which they became only the second club to win the English Premier League, the Uefa Champions League and the FA Cup. In 2023, Guardiola’s side captured five trophies in all, including the Uefa Super Cup and, last month, the Fifa Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

A sizeable City delegation, including their 25-man squad who are in the UAE for a warm-weather training camp, were present at the awards. Organisers said the winners were selected with help from more than 70 million fan votes from 225-plus countries and territories.

Haaland, who pipped to the award a plethora of stars including Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Mohamed Salah and Kylian Mbappe, said upon receiving his award onstage: “First of all, the guys sitting here [teammates] are a bunch of amazing people. And my manager of course.

“It’s a fantastic club and the support we players get from the administration and the leaders of the club is massive as well. I really enjoy being there.”

Asked when he expected to return from the foot injury that has kept him sidelined since December 6, Haaland said: “I hope really soon, because I’m getting sick of not playing.