The UAE Pro League marked the end of the 2024/25 season with a glittering awards ceremony on Saturday evening at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi, celebrating the year’s standout performances both on and off the pitch.
The prestigious event gathered football icons, club officials, sponsors, media professionals, and dignitaries, including Abdulla Naser Al Jneibi, Chairman of the UAE Pro League, and members of the Board of Directors. In his opening address, Al Jneibi welcomed guests to what has become a highly anticipated annual tradition, praising the UAE leadership’s unwavering support for sports and reaffirming the league’s commitment to progress and excellence.
He revealed that the market value of UAE Pro League competitions has reached an estimated AED 2.6 billion, with 44 million television views and an impressive 730 million interactions across social media platforms this season—clear proof of the league’s growing impact. Al Jneibi also acknowledged the vital role of strategic partners, broadcasters, and loyal fans in driving Emirati football forward.
The evening, hosted by media personalities Mohamed Al Houti and Nada Al Shaibani, featured captivating performances and a cultural music segment reflecting the UAE’s spirit of diversity and coexistence. A heartfelt tribute was given to veteran journalist Mohamed Najeeb for his decades of contribution to Emirati sports media.
Shabab Al Ahli Dominate the Night
Shabab Al Ahli, reigning quadruple champions, were the evening’s biggest winners, collecting four major accolades:
- Golden Ball – Best Player: Sardar Azmoun, ahead of Mehdi Ghayedi (Kalba) and Caio Lucas (Sharjah)
- Leader Award – Best Coach: Paulo Sousa, surpassing Milos Milojevic (Al Wasl) and Cosmin Olaroiu (Sharjah)
- Golden Glove – Best Goalkeeper: Hamad Al Muqbali, over Ali Khaseif (Al Jazira) and Adel Alhosani (Sharjah)
- Golden Boy – Best U23 Player: Guilherme Da Silva, ahead of Siaka Sidibe (Al Wasl) and Brahima Diarra (Al Wahda)
Azmoun’s heroics were central to Shabab Al Ahli’s treble triumph this season, securing the league title, the President’s Cup, and the UAE Super Cup.
Other Major Honours
- Best Goal: Nabil Fekir (Al Jazira)
- Fans’ Player of the Year: Mohamed Elneny (Al Jazira)
- Golden Shoe – ADNOC Pro League Top Scorer: Laba Kodjo (Al Ain) – 20 goals
- Golden Shoe – ADIB Cup Top Scorer: Ramon Mierez (Al Jazira) – 5 goals
- Silver Shoe – Pro League U23 Top Scorer: Mansoor Saeed Al Menhali (Al Wahda)
- Fans League Award: Al Ain
- Professional Excellence in Club Licensing: Al Jazira
- Fantasy Manager of the Season: Omar Al Obeidi
Celebrating Partners and Excellence
The ceremony also recognised the league’s partners for their continuous support, including ADNOC, ADIB, Emaar Properties, MUBADARAT, Emirates Airline, Etihad Rail, Nike, McDonald’s UAE, TikTok, Volkswagen Al Nabooda Automobiles, Rixos Hotels, and more.
With its blend of sporting achievement, cultural celebration, and community recognition, the 2024/25 UAE Pro League Awards Night reinforced football’s position as one of the nation’s most unifying and inspiring forces.