Mohamed Salah seen during a practice session. File

Gulf Today Report

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski and Mohamed Salah are among the confirmed finalists for the upcoming Dubai Globe Soccer Awards which will take place on Dec.27.

For the first time in over 10 years, the finalists have been entirely chosen by the fans.

Soccer supporters from all over the world have voted for their favourite international players, clubs, coaches and agents, shortlisting international names in seven categories.

No one has been shortlisted for eighth category, the Player Career Award, and will be announced only on the award night itself.

 Cristiano Ronaldo in action during a match. File

In partnership with the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), this year’s Dubai Globe Soccer Awards will be a special edition due to the impact of COVID-19 on the world of football.

It will still recognise the best talent of 2020, but it will also highlight the sport’s legendary figures from the past 20 years.

The DSC and Dubai Globe Soccer Awards will strengthen their 12-year relationship by staging the annual edition of the Dubai International Sports Conference prior to the Awards ceremony.

 Lionel Messi slips on ground during a match. File

The Dubai International Sports Conference, which has hosted over 200 speakers since its first edition, will once again welcome some of the Soccer’s most prominent international players.

Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi have both been shortlisted for Player of the Century 2001-2020 and Player of the Year 2020.

Alongside Ronaldo and Messi in the Player of the Century category, is Liverpool and Egypt’s national team star, Mohamed Salah and former Brazilian player Ronaldinho.

 Robert Lewandowski gesture towards audience after scoring a goal. File

Recognising the players who have showed skills above and beyond expectations during this unexpected year, is Bayern Munich’s Lewandowski who is nominated alongside Ronaldo and Messi for Player of the Year 2020.

Lewandowski received a tremendous number of votes in this category and is emerging as one of this year’s most popular players.

After displaying success season after season, Bayern and Real Madrid have been shortlisted for Club of the Century 2001-2020 and also Club of the Year 2020. Messi’s club Barcelona has also been shortlisted by the fans for Club of the Century 2001-2020 alongside Al Ahly. Salah’s club, Liverpool, is the third nominee in the Club of the Year 2020 category.