“I’m very grateful to hear these words from him”: Novak Djokovic reacts after receiving Globe Sports Award from Cristiano Ronaldo

The 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic was one of the protagonists of the Globe Soccer Awards ceremony, held this Sunday in Dubai, as he received the Globe Sports Award, a recognition created to honor athletes with global impact beyond football.

The trophy was presented by Cristiano Ronaldo, the most decorated player in the history of the award. The meeting between the Serbian and the Portuguese forward was one of the most symbolic moments of the night, bringing together two athletes who have left a mark on their respective sports.

“For me, he is an example of longevity,” Ronaldo said. “We have a similar story. He deserves this because he is an example for the past generation, the current one and the next.”

“As you know, I am a man of challenges. This is a new era,” Ronaldo explained. “We have to open our minds to other sports. The world needs to see great quality beyond football. I love football, but I also love other sports. I learn from great personalities in different disciplines. That was the idea behind creating this award.”

During the awards ceremony, Djokovic returned the praise to the 5-time FIFA Ballon d'Or winner. “I’m very grateful to hear these words from him and to call him my friend,” Djokovic said. “You see someone who has won everything, and yet still wants more. Even though we are in different sports, we can support each other and show future generations that there are no limits.”

“This award sends a powerful message. Sport can change lives. When Cristiano says he will reach 1,000 goals, you see the power of the mind. The mind controls everything.”

Created in 2010, the Globe Soccer Awards are a football-focused awards ceremony organized by the European Club Association in collaboration with the European Association of Player Agents and the Globe Soccer organization. Cristiano Ronaldo is the most decorated player in the history of the event, with 14 trophies in different categories, six of them as best player of the year. In 2025, the number 7 for Al Nassr and the Portuguese national team was chosen as the best player in the Middle East.

The Globe Sports Award, granted to Djokovic, was created this year with the objective of recognizing athletes from other sports, valuing trajectories of excellence, global impact, and lasting contribution to sport. With a career marked by record-breaking Grand Slam titles, weeks at the top of the rankings, and a long trajectory at a high competitive level, Djokovic emphasized that the tribute goes beyond results on the court. "Being here and being able to talk about how sport can inspire children all over the world is something that makes me proud. It is not just about me, but about all athletes," he added.

Djokovic is preparing for his next challenge at the start of the 2026 season, in which the Serbian will play the Adelaide International as his first tournament – where players such as Jiri Lehecka, Tommy Paul, and Joao Fonseca will also be present.

It will be his only preparatory tournament for the first Grand Slam of the year at the Australian Open, where he will be the 4th seed and will try to cross the barrier of the semifinals, the round in which he fell in the four majors played in 2025.