Ibrahimovic at Globe Soccer: “Milan, we believe in the Scudetto”. Maldini and Massari rewarded

Time for celebrations in Dubai: in the 13th edition of Globe Soccer – the annual meeting dedicated to transfer market operators, in the presence of representatives of leagues, federations, institutions and clubs – various prizes are awarded. Among others: best player and best player, best men’s and women’s club, best coach, emerging player and TikTok “player of the year”.

Maldini and Massara rewarded

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For the managers category, prestigious recognition for Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara: the Milan manager and manager won the “best sporting director” award, ahead of Giuntoli of Napoli and Ward of Liverpool. Among agents, the prize for the best operation of the year went to Rafaela Pimenta for the transfer of Haaland from Dortmund to Manchester City. The Brazilian agent dedicated the award to Mino Raiola: “It wouldn’t have been possible without Mino”.

Word of Ibra

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Among the guests is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is impatiently waiting to return to the field at the beginning of 2023. And who confesses together with Sergio Ramos, on the evening in which he is awarded a career award (“but his career is not over, eh, relax… I’m still playing!”). Between provocations and laughter, the charismatic Milan striker opens the book of memories, but looks to the future with ever more passion. “Young players who become strong immediately are the prerogative of some important teams that have more money to spend. But in the end, investments make everyone grow – he explains -. Clubs that don’t have money have to work differently, in a more intelligent way. Using players of experience to help young people grow. Then, of course, if you are PSG, you set up a Dream Team”. On the World Cup: “It’s hard not to be in Qatar. I’ll probably watch all the matches. Or maybe I’ll watch myself train.” On a personal level, Zlatan always has the same enthusiasm: “Passion is what keeps you going. I’m 41, if I didn’t have passion I wouldn’t survive. Everything goes fast, I always have to work hard, train, recover. Passion, passion, passion. When you lose passion, you lose discipline. My true inspirer is Mohamed Ali, but if I had to choose a player as a role model, I would say Ronaldo the Phenomenon, because he made me passionate about football.”

Ibra then recalls the anecdote of the first meeting with Fabio Capello: “He made me great, but he also broke me… When I arrived at Juve, the first day I was enthusiastic about finally being in a great team. I see Capello and I say hello, ‘Good morning Mister’. He leafed through the Gazzetta dello Sport, and didn’t look up and didn’t answer me. And after 10 minutes I was still waiting… I learned a lot from him, he taught me discipline”. Looking back on his long career: “I had the chance to play with and against the best players in the world. In the best clubs. I did everything to bring out the best in me. Some say I could have done more, but what Did I do. Was I competitive as a kid? Sure. Why just be good, if you can be the best?” Ibra then made some statements to Sky about his Milan: “We have grown as a team, Maldini and Massara have done a great job. We always believe in the Scudetto, why shouldn’t we believe it? Napoli is doing better, you can see it from the standings. but the second part of the year is more important than the first. The Champions League is always difficult… The match against Tottenham? It’s a part, there are no favourites, you have to feel good at that moment.”

More awards

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These are the prizes awarded at the Globe Soccer Awards. Real Madrid, which won four trophies this season, including the 14th Champions League and the La Liga title, is the best club of 2022: Carlo Ancelotti, almost as a consequence, is the best coach. And the blancos score full: after the Ballon d’Or, Karim Benzema also wins the prize in Dubai. The prize for the emerging player gives satisfaction to Napoli: Victor Osimhen takes him home. Fans on TikTok crown Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah instead.

Galliani

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Among the guests of the evening, Adriano Galliani: “President Berlusconi and I have also tried to promote football, with 29 trophies in 31 years of Milan – his words . And now we have managed to bring Monza to the Serie A in 110 years”.