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DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – DECEMBER 28: Arthur Sales of Mamelodi Sundowns celebrates scoring during the Betway Premiership match between Richards Bay and Mamelodi Sundowns at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)

Betway Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns moved six points clear of Orlando Pirates with a 2-0 win over Richards Bay FC on Saturday afternoon.

Betway Premiership

Result: Richards Bay 0-2 Mamelodi Sundowns

Date: 28 December 2024

Venue: King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium

Sundowns made six changes from their last-minute win against Richards Bay, as goalkeeper Denis Onyango, Grant Kekana, Thapelo Morena, Terrence Mashego, Bathusi Aubaas and Arthur Sales were brought in.

The Brazilians were looking to break the lines in the opening exchanges after Lucas Ribeiro Costa came close with a diagonal shot that moss narrowly wide after he went through on goal.

Masandawana eventually beat the offside trap on 18 minutes after Sales opened the scoring with a low finish from a defence splitting pass by Ribeiro.

Richards Bay were threatening to equalise after that as just before the half-hour mark Yamela Mbuthuma was unfortunate with a diagonal header that lobbed Onyango but missed the far top corner by a whisker.

Miguel Cardoso’s charges slowed down the pace of the game in the closing stages of the first stanza, with spells of possession but they could not create chances, as they settled for a narrow lead at halftime. 

Richards Bay were spirited from the break as seven minutes into the second stanza Mbuthuma came very close to making it 1-1 with a free header that crashed the crossbar from a cross by Lwandile Mabuya.

With Sundowns subdued, the Portuguese coach changed his attacking formation on the hour-mark, as Iqraam Rayners replaced Sales and Tashreeq Matthews came on for Kobamelo Kodisang.

The Tshwane giants clicked better going forward as four minutes later Costa doubled their lead with a curling low shot that found the bottom corner.

The Natal Rich Boyz threw in experienced strikers Justice Figuareido and Thabiso Kutumela in the last 20 minutes to reinforce their attack.

Siphiwe Mcineka almost pulled a goal back for the hosts in the dying minutes with a header at the back post that came off the post.

Masandawana were comfortable in the tail end as they stretched their lead at the top of the log to six points, ahead of second-placed Orlando Pirates, who have two games in hand.

Here’s how they lined up:

Richards Bay: 16. Magoola, 22. Mabuya, 5. Allan, 25. Mcineka, 3. Ndaba, 6. Mthethwa, 17. Gumede, 36. Zikhali, 20. Mthembu, 45. Ntsundwana, 9. Mbuthuma.

Subs: 1. Otieno, 72. Mabua, 27. Ntlonelo, 38. Dlamini, 18. Dube, 11. Kutumela, 35. Ndelu, 26. Radebe, 23. Figareido.

Mamelodi Sundowns: 1. Onyango, 14. Mashego, 15. Aubaas, 20. Kekana, 6. Modiba, 42. Khoza, 4. Mokoena, 10. Ribeiro, 19. Kodisang, 27. Morena, 9. Sales

Subs: 36. February, 23. De Reuck, 29. Lunga, 39. Maboe, 12. Maema, 17. Matthews, 43. Lethakhu, 13. Rayners, 38. Shalulile

When the Globe Soccer Awards first launched in 2010, they only included a few categories: Best Agent, Best Director, and a Career Achievement Award. Over the years, however, the ceremony has expanded to include 12 main categories that now reflect the diversity of talent and contributions within the world of football.  

 The Jury and Selection Process

The selection process for the Globe Soccer Awards involves a diverse committee, or “jury,” which is comprised of various stakeholders from the football world. This jury includes:

– Former players such as Francesco Totti, Ian Rush, and Luis Figo  
– Current players like Alexia Putellas  
– Coaches including Antonio Conte and Fabio Capello  
– Club executives, businessmen, and even a member of the Dubai Sports Council

These jurors bring a wide range of expertise and experience to the process of choosing the winners in each category.

 Categories and Quirks

The Globe Soccer Awards feature several unique categories, with some distinctions between the men’s and women’s awards. Notably:

– There are separate categories for Best Forward and Best Midfielder in the men’s side, but no category for Best Defender.
– There is a Best Coach category for men, but no equivalent for women, which has been a topic of discussion in recent years.

This year’s ceremony, held on December 27, will continue the tradition of recognizing the very best players, coaches, agents, and other figures in football, underscoring the Globe Soccer Awards’ important role in the global football community.

Nominations – 

2024 Globe Soccer Awards: Full List of Nominees

Best Men’s Player

The nominees for Best Men’s Player include a stellar lineup of footballing superstars from across Europe, South America, and beyond. Key names include:

• Nicolo Barella (Italy, Inter Milan)
• Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
• Hakan Calhanoglu (Turkey, Inter Milan)
• Dani Carvajal (Spain, Real Madrid)
• Artem Dovbyk (Ukraine, Girona/Roma)
• Phil Foden (England, Man City)
• Antoine Griezmann (France, Atletico Madrid)
• Erling Haaland (Norway, Man City)
• Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich)
• Kylian Mbappe (France, PSG/Real Madrid)

Best Women’s Player

The Best Women’s Player category features a selection of elite female footballers who have dominated their leagues and international competitions. Notable nominees include:

• Aitana Bonmati (Spain, Barcelona)
• Lucy Bronze (England, Chelsea)
• Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi, Lyon)
• Grace Geyoro (France, PSG)
• Manuela Giugliano (Italy, Roma)
• Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway, Barcelona)
• Ada Hegerberg (Norway, Lyon)

Best Men’s Club

The Best Men’s Club category celebrates top-tier football clubs from around the world. The nominees include:

• Al Ahly (Egypt)
• Inter Milan (Italy)
• Man City (England)
• PSG (France)
• Real Madrid (Spain)
• Sporting CP (Portugal)

Best Women’s Club

For the Best Women’s Club category, the following top clubs have been recognized for their impressive performances:

• Barcelona (Spain)
• Lyon (France)
• Bayern Munich (Germany)
• Roma (Italy)
• Chelsea (England)

Best Coach

The nominees for Best Coach are some of the most respected managers in football, known for their tactical brilliance and leadership:

• Xabi Alonso (Spain, Bayer Leverkusen)
• Carlo Ancelotti (Italy, Real Madrid)
• Mikel Arteta (Spain, Arsenal)
• Pep Guardiola (Spain, Man City)
• Luis Enrique (Spain, PSG)

Best Midfielder

Midfielders are often the heartbeat of a team, and this year’s nominees include:

• Nicolo Barella (Italy, Inter Milan)
• Rodri (Spain, Man City)
• Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
• Federico Valverde (Uruguay, Real Madrid)
• Hakan Calhanoglu (Turkey, Inter Milan)
• Vitinha (Portugal, PSG)

Best Forward

The Best Forward category sees the return of some of the most prolific goal scorers in the game:

• Artem Dovbyk (Ukraine, Girona/Roma)
• Kylian Mbappe (France, PSG/Real Madrid)
• Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool)
• Erling Haaland (Norway, Man City)
• Vinicius Jr. (Brazil, Real Madrid)
• Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich)

Best Emerging Player

The Best Emerging Player category honors rising stars who are making a name for themselves on the global football stage. The nominees include:

• Pau Cubarsi (Spain, Barcelona)
• Joao Neves (Portugal, PSG)
• Alejandro Garnacho (Argentina, Man United)
• Arda Guler (Turkey, Real Madrid)
• Kobbie Mainoo (England, Man United)

Best Agent

The agents who play a crucial role in negotiating player transfers and contracts are also recognized, with nominees including:

• Giuliano Bertolucci (Brazil)
• Fernando Hidalgo (Argentina)
• Kia Joorabchian (Iran)
• Jorge Mendes (Portugal)
• Pini Zahavi (Israel)

Best Sporting Director

The nominees for Best Sporting Director are professionals who have built strong teams through their scouting, transfers, and strategic decisions:

• Piero Ausilio (Italy)
• Luis Campos (Portugal)
• Edu Gaspar (Brazil, Arsenal)
• Sebastian Kehl (Germany, Bayer Leverkusen)
• Giovanni Sartori (Italy)

Best Middle East Player

The Best Middle East Player award celebrates the finest talent from the region, with nominees including:

• Salem Al Dawsari (Saudi Arabia, Al Hilal)
• Riyad Mahrez (Algeria, Al Ahli)
• Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Al Nassr)
• Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Serbia, Al Hilal)

Best Middle East Club

The Best Middle East Club nominees highlight the region’s strongest football teams:

• Al Ahly (Egypt)
• Al Ain (UAE)
• Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
• Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia)

She has become well known for her glamorous designer outfits.

And Georgina Rodriguez made sure all eyes were on her as she wowed in a black mini dress for the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Friday.

The 30-year-old accompanied her long-time partner Cristiano Ronaldo to the event as the pair beamed at each other as they took their seats.

The Spanish model showcased her ample cleavage in the stunning low-cut dress, featuring long lace sleeves and added inches to her frame with a pair of black pumps.

She completed her glamorous look with a statement diamond jewellery and toted her belongings in a black crocodile leather Birkin bag, worth an impressive £60k.

Meanwhile, Cristiano, 39, looked sharp in a grey suit, effortlessly layered over a simple white T-shirt.

Georgina Rodriguez and Cristiano Ronaldo wowed as they attended the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Friday

The Spanish model, 30, showcased her ample cleavage in the stunning low-cut dress, featuring long lace sleeves and added inches to her frame with a pair of black pumps

The pair attended one of the world’s leading celebrations of international football excellence as the 15th edition of the star-studded awards and the popular Dubai International Sports Conference hosts an array of football stars from past and present.

Also at the event was Thibaut Courtois and his wife Mishel Gerzig, Jude Bellingham, and Lamine Yama.

It was a big night for Cristiano as he was crowned twice at this year’s Globe Soccer Awards.

He was named the Best Middle Eastern player and also won the Top Goalscorer of all time award. It’s the second time Ronaldo has won the prize having also claimed it in 2023.

During an interview at the start of the ceremony Ronaldo revealed his plans after retirement.

‘I’m not a coach. I’m never going to be a coach, president of the club? No. Maybe owner of the club,’ he said.

The forward was then pressed on his comments, with the interviewer asking: ‘Is that what you want to do, to become a club owner?’

Ronaldo responded: ‘Probably. I will see. It will depend on the moment, the right opportunities.’

She completed her glamorous look with a statement diamond jewellery and toted her belongings in a black crocodile leather Birkin bag, worth an impressive £60k

The pair beamed at each other as they took their seats at the event

Also at the event was Thibaut Courtois and his wife Mishel Gerzig

Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yama attended 

It was a big night for Cristiano as he was crowned twice at this year’s Globe Soccer Awards

‘Have you got any in mind?,’ the interviewer asked and Ronaldo answered: ‘Not yet, a few maybe.’ 

Other notable winner on the night included Lamine Yamal, who won the ‘Emerging Player of the Year’ trophy.

Vinicius Jr was named the Best Player and Best Forward, while Real Madrid team-mate took home the Best Midfielder award.

The winners were decided online after a record-breaking 100 million votes were casted by fans from more than 200 countries and territories.

Additionally, the Globe Soccer mobile app surpassed 1.5 million downloads, underlining the event’s global appeal.

Although Cristiano and Georgina have never tied the knot, the couple are parents to Alana, five, and Bella, two.

They tragically lost Bella’s twin brother, Angel, when he died during childbirth in April 2022.

Although Cristiano and Georgina have never tied the knot, the couple are parents to Alana, five, and Bella, 2. Georgina is also step mother to Ronaldo’s three children Cristiano Jr, 14, and twins Mateo and Eva, seven

Georgina is also step mother to Ronaldo’s three children Cristiano Jr, 14, and twins Mateo and Eva, seven.

Georgina previously revealed she suffered three miscarriages before the devastating loss of her newborn son.

Speaking on her Netflix show, she said: ‘I was very afraid at each ultrasound [before the birth of her twins]. I felt very tense because I’d had three previous miscarriages and I came home in pieces.’

Georgina also explained that she didn’t immediately tell her other children that son Angel didn’t survive and told them he would be born later than his sister.

She said: ‘As I still had a belly, I told them that Angel was still going to wait a bit to be born.

‘Until [Cristiano] told them that Angel was in Heaven. That was a dose of reality.’