Dubai : Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Spain’s Pep Guardiola were honored at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, the duo named player and coach of the century respectively.
The 35-year-old Ronaldo picked up the award in person at a ceremony held at the local Hotel in Dubai on Sunday.
Juventus forward, who has won domestic league titles in Spain, England and Italy and Euro 2016 with Portugal, admitted his pride at receiving the accolade, given to the player judged the best between 2001 and 2020.
“It’s a pleasure to win titles. It’s not easy to be top of the game for so many years. I am really proud, but without a team, great coaches and clubs it is not possible,” said Ronaldo.
Guardiola was honoured for a managerial career which has seen him win league championships in Spain, Germany and England, as well as the Champions League twice.
Both Ronaldo and Lionel Messi missed out on the men’s player of the year award for 2020 as Poland’s Robert Lewandowski bagged that award.
Bayern’s treble of the Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB-Pokal also saw boss Hansi Flick rewarded as coach of the year. Spanish greats, goalkeeping legend Iker Casillas and Barcelona superstar Gerard Pique won Player Career Awards.
Real Madrid was named the club of the century at the ceremony, while Bayern picked up the team award for 2020.
It must be noted that Globe Soccer Awards, also known as the Dubai d’Ors are the annual awards given for excellence in football.
