Globe Soccer Awards 2024 nominees: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronald and Erling Haaland on shortlist

Most fans know and recognize the Ballon d'Or gala and FIFA's The Best awards as the two preeminent global annual football recognition events.

Presented by France Football, the Ballon d'Or is widely considered the most coveted individual award in the world, while FIFA has attempted to challenge that superiority with its own set of trophy presentations.

However, a relatively unknown player has been around for over a decade as the Globe Soccer Awards look to gain notoriety and clout for their annual ceremony held every January (until this year) in Dubai.

The Sporting News details where the Globe Soccer Awards come from and who the 2024 nominees are across their various award categories.

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What are the Globe Soccer Awards?

Founded in 2010, the Globe Soccer Awards are organized by their namesake, Globe Soccer, the gala has taken place every January in Dubai, United Arab Emirates to recognize the most prominent figures in the world of football.

The awards were founded by famed agent Jorge Mendes along with Italian businessman Riccardo Silva and Tommaso Bendoni. Mendes has won the Best Agent category in 11 of the 13 years of its existence.

"At the heart of Globe Soccer’s mission is a commitment to honoring all facets of the beautiful game," reads the official website. "Their awards celebrate not just players, but the full spectrum of football stakeholders – from chairmen and agents to directors and referees."

To recognize the best across the world of football in the 2024 calendar year, the Globe Soccer Awards will hold its next iteration of the ceremony earlier than usual, on December 27, in Dubai.

2024 Globe Soccer Awards nominees

In 2010, the first year of the ceremony, the Globe Soccer Awards consisted of just Best Agent, Best Director, and a Career Achievement Award. For the 2024 ceremony, there are 12 different main categories.

The selection committee, or "jury" as Globe Soccer refers to it, consists of dozens of individuals from around the world of football. It includes former players Francesco Totti, Ian Rush, and Luis Figo, current players such as Alexia Putellas, coaches Antonio Conte and Fabio Capello, former referees, club executives, businessmen, and even a member of the Dubai Sports Council among others. 

There are some quirks to the categories. First off, there are "Best Forward" and "Best Midfielder" categories for the men but no "Best Defender." Meanwhile, there is a "Best Coach" that is clearly restricted to the men's side by the nominees, but no similar category for the women.

There also appears to be clear bias and blind spots in certain areas. Possibly thanks to Jorge Mendes' influence, Portuguese players, clubs, and executives appear more often than usual, such as Sporting CP's presence in the "Best Club" category despite being knocked out of last year's continental competition in the Europa League Round of 16. Additionally, on the women's side, not a single American player was nominated for Best Player, while no NWSL club was chosen as part of the Best Club nominees.

The following are all the nominees in every given category up for recognition at the 2024 iteration of the Globe Soccer Awards.

Best Men's Player

Best Women's Player

Best Men's Club

Best Women's Club

Best Coach

Best Midfielder

Best Forward

Best Emerging Player

Best Agent

Best Sporting Director

Best Middle East Player

This award recognizes the best player contracted to a Middle Eastern club.

Best Middle East Club