Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
CNN
—
Just days before the World Cup kicks off in Qatar, neighboring Dubai celebrates the best players, teams and coaches the beautiful game has to offer at the annual Globe Soccer Awards.
CNN has partnered with the awards, now in their 17th edition, to introduce CNN’s Off the Pitch category at this year’s ceremony on November 17th.
The award recognizes the achievements of an individual, club or other football organization for their impact on society and culture in general, as well as for their community service.
“I think it [the award] is extremely important because young people look at you and try to do the same,” Fabio Capello, former Real Madrid, Russia and England coach, told CNN’s Becky Anderson.
“Because they live and see themselves through big players and their idols. And their idols need to know and understand that.”
Capello serves on a five-person jury — made up of current or former players and coaches — that decides on the nominees before a panel of CNN sportswriters selects the winner.
“It’s fortunate that our work can influence a lot of people and professions, which are also some of the things I love most about this sport,” Spanish footballer Alexia Putellas, another of the judges, told CNN’s Becky Anderson .
“Seeing how it can change a person’s feelings after watching a game or watching us play is one of the best things that can happen to us as footballers.”
Putellas was one of the winners of the 2021 Globe Soccer Awards, along with Paris Saint-Germain and French striker Kylian Mbappé, FC Barcelona star Robert Lewandowski and Italy coach Roberto Mancini.
The nominees for each of the 2022 award categories, including the CNN Off the Pitch Award, will be announced on October 20 when voting for the winners begins.
“I’ve read all the nominees and nominees for this award, but there are a few I [am] much closer to; I felt their willingness to help,” said Capello.
“Their desire to be there, even though they were at the top as footballers and coaches.”
Some of the awards up for grabs at the event hosted by Dubai Sports Council include Best Agent, Transfer Contract and Sporting Director.
Also in 2022, the Globe Digital Awards will start, honoring creative influencers and eSports gamers.