Cristiano Ronaldo wins Best Middle East Player and the Maradona Award

then to the next of our awards as we come very close towards the conclusion of proceedings still some big awards to be handed out and from the world champions and continental champions and players with trophy cabinets brimming with accolades there's been a steady influx of global superstars right here in the middle east

Add to that a plethora of homegrown talent and football in the Middle East is at its most formidable.

That's been evident in some brilliant performances over the last year.

But who has been the player who delivered the very best and most consistently?

Yeah, this one's kindly sponsored by our friends at Italpreciosi.

And the finalists then are...

Cristiano Ronaldo.

Riyad Mahrez.

Muhammad Alshanawi.

Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards Best Middle East Player, I think the roof is about to go off, is none other than...

Cristiano Ronaldo!

it was a magical year for you cristiano and the accolades just keep on coming your 54 goals in 2023 impressively also secures you the maradona award brought to you by nakil extraordinarily this trophy actually has the exact replica of the late great diego maradona's foot

Cristiano Ronaldo further added to his legacy by taking his talents to El Nasser in Saudi Arabia.

His foresight made the globalisation of football a reality as the eyes of the world shifted towards the Middle East.

Ronaldo's prowess on the pitch is undeniable, but it's his ability for making revolutionary decisions off it which sets him apart.

Now in Riyadh and spurring the attack for El Nasser, they've become the team to beat.

The year 2023 ended with CR7 netting a staggering and world-leading 54 goals for both El Nasser and the Portuguese national team.

Another Globe Soccer Award for Cristiano.

Let's get a few words with him.

Cristiano.

Congratulations, Cristiano.

We were talking earlier about how you used the motivation of some of the criticism.

How important was that first goal that you scored in Saudi Arabia?

Do you remember it?

It was a penalty, I think.

Yes, I remember.

It was a good moment.

It was my first one.

And it was good.

It wasn't special.

Because the first one is always special.

But it was good.

I was so proud.

I did an amazing season.

I have to say thank you to my teammates, my coaches, from Al Nassar, from Portugal national team.

And I feel so proud.

I never won this trophy.

The best Middle East player.

And Maradona as well, so...

I will put with my with passion in my museum because it's two special ones.

And I'm so proud.

I have to say thank you to my wife, to my kids that deal with me every day.

Sometimes I know I'm a little bit boring, but it's it's my job to be consistent every time.

So thank you to the global soccer for this amazing award.

And you have said, you know, this is about more than just you.

This is about growing football and the game in another region.

How confident are you that the influx of players will continue?

I hope so.

As I said before, the league, the Russian league, started one year ago to grow and grow.

And I'm sure 100% they will continue to grow because our boss, they decide and they love football.

And in my opinion, the league will be top, top, top.

Well, top, top, top.

You've got another trophy to collect.

If I can just usher you back over there, this is the pretty special, the Maradona Award, complete with a replica of the foot.

Congratulations.

Yeah, congratulations to Cristiano.

He's going to need all his hands there for the two trophies as well as he makes his way off the stage.

Right.