Abidal Honored at Star Studded Audi Football Night

Dubai, 29 December 2012 – Barcelona star Eric Abidal has been awarded the Globe Soccer Player of his Career at the third annual Audi Football Night in Dubai.  In a glittering gala event, part of the Dubai International Sports Conference, Mr Abidal was presented the honor by Chayne Brand, Marketing Director, Audi Middle East and Alexandre Rosell, President of FC Barcelona in front of many of the game’s biggest names, including Real Madrid coach Josè Mourinho and  Atletico Madrid’s ace goal scorer Radamel Falcao.

Presented by Al Nabooda Automobiles, the official dealer of Audi in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, the awards event took place at the Armani Hotel on 28 December as part of the prestigious annual meeting dedicated to leading transfer market operators.

An illustrious awards panel comprising 13 top representatives in the world of sport, including former England manager Fabio Capello, Portugal’s star Luis Figo, Dr. Ahmad Al Sharif, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council and Mohamed Al Kamali, Secretary General UAE National Olympic Committee decided the winners in each of the 10 categories.

Other winners on the night were Atletico Madrid for Globe Soccer Club of the Year, Diego Maradona for Player of the Century and Hassan Mohammed for UAE Goal Scorer of the Year.  

Chayne Brand, Marketing Director of Audi Middle East said: “Football is one of the key sports in the UAE and the Middle East and we are very honored to host and support the Globe Soccer Awards in their 4th edition.  Around the world, Audi stands for sportiness and dynamism and it is a pleasure to help further the growth and intercontinental integration of football.”

Organised by BC Bendoni Communication in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council, Globe Soccer has become one of football’s most exclusive events, creating a platform for discussions among key players and managers on the game’s key issues.

The event is dedicated to the football market operators who, together with the clubs, leagues, federations and football institutions, are able to extend their network of contacts and bring themselves up to date with the most important current issues.

Other VIP guests included President of the Union of Football Associations Michel Platini, Miguel Anghel Gill Marin, Chief Executive Officer and owner of Atletico Madrid, and Diego Maradona, the new ambassador of the Dubai Sports Council.

Full list of Globe Soccer winners

Player of his Career: Eric Abidal

Player of the Year: Radamel Falcao 

Club of the Year: Atletico Madrid

Coach of the Year: Josè Mourinho

Agent of the Year: Jorge Mendes

Agent (Career): Rob Jansen

Director (Career): Michel Platini

Player of the Century: Diego Maradona

Greatest Media Attraction in Football: Josè Mourinho

UAE Goal Scorer of the Year: Hassan Mohammed