Ronaldo Elevates Djokovic with Globe Soccer Honor in a Dubai Night of Cross‑Sport Respect
28 December 2025
A Moment of Cross-Sport Respect in Dubai
In an exceptional gesture that underscored mutual respect among sport's legends, Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo presented tennis giant Novak Djokovic with the inaugural Globe Sports award from Globe Soccer during the Dubai ceremony.
The event, held Sunday evening in the United Arab Emirates’ business hub, drew football’s brightest stars from around the world.
More than a routine honor, the Globe Sports award recognizes icons who have transcended their sport and left a lasting emotional and human impact.
Djokovic owns the record with 24 Grand Slam titles and has spent 428 weeks ranked No. 1, a pair of feats that frame an extraordinary career.
“This is an amazing surprise for me. Receiving an award from another sporting legend like Cristiano is a dream come true,” Djokovic said after the presentation.
“I’m a big football fan, and I came here to celebrate the wonderful year and the incredible world-class stars present today.”
Frenchman Ousmane Dembélé, PSG star, topped Globe Soccer’s World Player of the Year, ahead of Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Rafinha.
Punchline 1: If Ronaldo’s trophy shelf ever stops expanding, maybe he’ll start a new category—most shelves used per career landmark.
Punchline 2: Djokovic’s humility is so fast it could return serves before the ball even leaves his racket.