Djokovic receives high praise from Ronaldo, who personally presents him with a prestigious award

Novak Djokovic and Cristiano Ronaldo maintain a strong friendship, showing great respect towards one another.

Two of the greatest icons in contemporary sports had a memorable reunion when Cristiano Ronaldo personally handed Novak Djokovic the Global Sports Award at the ceremony Globe Soccer Awards held in Dubai. This moment quickly captured the attention of the media and fans worldwide, as it featured the joint appearance of two figures regarded as benchmarks of success and the pursuit of excellence in sports.

Unlike previous years, the 2025 Globe Soccer Awards marked an important expansion by introducing the Global Sports Award for the first time, recognizing individuals whose contributions and achievements extend beyond football as usual. Novak Djokovic — the record-holder with 24 Grand Slam titles — was announced as the recipient.

Ronaldo stepped onto the stage himself to present the award to Djokovic, creating an emotionally charged moment.

"This is a huge surprise for me. Receiving this award from Ronaldo is truly a dream come true.", Nole shared. "Although we don’t compete in the same sport, we push each other to improve. Standing here together and talking about how sports can inspire children worldwide is very meaningful."

CR7 also had flattering words for Djokovic: "To me, Novak is a symbol of perseverance, and we share similarities. Novak deserves this award because he is a shining example for this generation and the next."

Djokovic’s career has long inspired millions of fans. He is considered the most successful male tennis player statistically and continues to perform at a high level despite being 38 years old.

The Grand Slam record holder will still aim for the Australian Open next year with the highest ambitions, despite the current dominance of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.