The 16th edition of the Globe Soccer Awards took place this Sunday in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and there were many personalities from the world of football who were present, but also some from other sports and that was the case of Novak Djokovic. The Serbian tennis player thought he was just showing up as a football fan, but he was taken by surprise when he was awarded the Globe Sports Award by Cristiano Ronaldo, the first edition of this award, referring to sports other than football. «It's a great surprise, being here today is a privilege and receiving the award from another legend is an honor, a dream come true. I didn't expect this, I'm a big football fan, I came here to celebrate the year of footballers and I was caught, but in a good way and I couldn't be happier", said Djokovic upon receiving the award from CR7 on stage, receiving praise from the Portuguese. “For me, he is an example, longevity, we have a similar story, so he deserves it, he is a great example for all generations,” said Ronaldo, giving him the floor again. Congratulations to tennis legend 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗸 𝗗𝗷𝗼𝗸𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗰 on being honored with the 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 at the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗕𝗘𝗬𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗚𝗟𝗢𝗕𝗘 𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 🎾🏆👏@DjokerNole #BEYONDDevelopments #Beyond… pic.twitter.com/vcD8a6Mpwa— Globe Soccer Awards (@Globe_Soccer) December 28, 2025 «Whenever he appeared [num torneio em Madrid] it was an added pressure, grateful to hear these words from him and to call him a friend. He's a person who inspires me too, in the same way. I try at 38 to wake up and find motivation in 20 years of tennis, your body... you asked yourself if you want to continue and then you see the example of Ronaldo and what he has been trying to do. We're not part of the same sport, but we seem to be pulling each other off a little. At 30 you already start planning your retirement and today that's not the case", said Djokovic, revealing that there is a friendly rivalry between the two.