The UAE Pro League celebrated the champions and stars of the 2025–26 season at its annual awards ceremony, held on Monday evening at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi.
The prestigious event was attended by UAE Pro League Chairman H.E. Abdulla Naser Al Jneibi, members of the UAE Pro League Board of Directors, senior officials and sports figures, football stars, club representatives, strategic partners and members of the media.
The evening brought the season’s standout performers together on one stage to celebrate their achievements after a campaign filled with competition and memorable performances. Award presentations were complemented by artistic performances and innovative visual displays, creating a memorable celebration befitting the stars of the season.
The ceremony was presented by media personalities Yakoob Al Saadi and Khalid Jassim in a celebratory atmosphere that reflected the UAE Pro League Awards’ status as one of the leading annual events celebrating excellence and achievement in UAE football.
The ceremony opened with an address by UAE Pro League Chairman and First Vice President of the UAE Football Association Abdulla Naser Al Jneibi, who welcomed the guests and reviewed the highlights of the 2025–26 season and the successes achieved across the League’s competitions.
He reaffirmed the UAE Pro League’s commitment to developing its competitions, raising the standard of UAE football and strengthening its presence.
Al Jneibi said that football goes beyond being a game or a competition defined by winning and losing, highlighting its ability to develop players, unite communities, inspire generations and strengthen the belief that the impossible can become possible.
He explained that football has become a language that brings people together, a platform for creating role models and a bridge connecting young people’s dreams with the future. He noted that more than five billion people around the world follow football, making it one of the most influential industries in the economy and society.
Al Jneibi added that UAE Pro League competitions reached more than 45 million television viewers last season and received coverage from more than 800 media outlets.
The Pro League also generated more than five billion media impressions across digital platforms, with a media value exceeding AED 1 billion, while the television and digital advertising value generated for the League’s partners and clubs reached around AED 3 billion.
He praised the unlimited support provided by the UAE’s wise leadership, stressing that investment in sport is an investment in people and the future of youth.
The UAE Pro League Chairman also thanked the clubs, strategic partners, sponsors, media and everyone working behind the scenes, noting that their contribution goes beyond supporting competitions to helping build an integrated sports industry.
Al Jneibi praised the loyal fans across the UAE, describing them as the spirit and true heartbeat of the game. He congratulated all nominees for the UAE Pro League Awards, stressing that being among the best is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of greater responsibility.
Looking ahead to the new season, which kicks off in a matter of days, Al Jneibi stressed that the aim is not simply to repeat previous successes, but to build on them and achieve even more, saying: “History is not written by those who settle for what they have achieved, but by those who consider every achievement the beginning of something greater.”
He called on everyone to write a new chapter of success in the coming season.
In a move reflecting the UAE Pro League’s ambition to strengthen the global presence of UAE football, Spanish football legend Andrés Iniesta was announced as a global ambassador for the League.
Iniesta will represent the competition and help enhance its international profile, drawing on his outstanding career, achievements and global stature.
The evening also saw the launch of the UAE Pro League’s official song, “Football Brings Us Together.”
Performed in four languages, the song reflects the diversity of UAE society and the League’s evolving identity, while highlighting football’s ability to bring together fans and cultures from around the world.
The UAE Pro League also honored its success partners, sponsors and supporting organisations in recognition of their role in supporting its competitions and contributing to their continued development.
The highlight of the evening came with the announcement of the voting-based award winners. Al Ain’s Matias Palacios claimed the Golden Ball Award for Best Player, while Khalid Eissa received the Golden Glove Award for Best Goalkeeper and Vladimir Ivić won the Leader Award for Best Coach.
Al Ain’s Abdulkarim Trawri received the Golden Boy Award for Best U23 Player, while teammate Soufian Rahimi claimed the Fans’ Player of the Year Award.
Al Wasl’s Sérgio Pereira won the Best Goal Award.
In the statistics-based awards, Kodjo Laba received the Golden Shoe – ADNOC Pro League Top Scorer award after scoring 25 goals, while Abdoulaye Toure claimed the Golden Shoe – ADIB Cup Top Scorer award. Ali Al-Maamari received the Silver Shoe – Pro League U23 Top Scorer award after scoring 17 goals.
The UAE Pro League also unveiled the Dream Team for the 2025–26 season, featuring Khalid Eissa, Rami Rabiea, Kauan Santos Silva, Renan Victor, Nicolás Giménez, Matias Palacios, Abdulkarim Trawri, Kaku, Soufian Rahimi, Kodjo Laba and Yuri César.
In the criteria-based awards, Al Ain received the Fan Attendance Award, while Al Nasr claimed the Club Licensing and Professionalism Award, recognising the clubs’ excellence and commitment to professional standards and development.
The celebrations also featured artistic performances, sponsor exhibitions, a competitions history wall, a memorabilia corner, a fan zone with various games, the UAE Pro League Store, a football exhibition and the UAE Pro League Café.
Media organisations and digital platforms were also honored for their outstanding coverage throughout the season.
Professional diploma certificates were presented to participants in the Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience (RPL) programme, organised by Mubadala in collaboration with the UAE Pro League.
The programme included specialised courses in football management, sports media, player technical analysis, and football marketing and sponsorship.
As the stars of the 2025–26 season were honored, attention now turns to the 2026–27 campaign, which kicks off on 14 August, opening a new chapter of competition and ambition in UAE football after a memorable night of celebration at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi.
Send feedback
