For three consecutive years, Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the Best Middle Eastern Player, but his social media celebration was met with fan ridicule for two main reasons.

At the 2025 Globe Football Awards, Cristiano Ronaldo once again took home the top prize. The 40-year-old Portuguese star was crowned Best Middle Eastern Player of the Year, beating out Saudi Pro League champion Benzema and AFC Champions League winner Mahrez, marking his third consecutive win of this honor.

Following his hat-trick as Best Middle Eastern Player of the Year, Ronaldo shared a photo on social media of himself receiving the trophy, accompanied by the message: "Thanks to everyone who stood by me throughout the year!"

This award has sparked significant controversy, mainly for two reasons:

• First, the title feels undeserved and lacks legitimacy!Fans mocked: "What championship has Ronaldo actually won this year?"Ronaldo ended the year empty-handed yet still won the award. Benzema is the key player for Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad, and Mahrez is the core of AFC Champions League winners Al-Nassr. How can Ronaldo, who has nothing to show, surpass them?
• Second, the award seems fabricated out of thin air!Fans sarcastically said: "Did this award even exist before Ronaldo arrived? Could it have been tailor-made for him?"There was no path, but when many people walk it, it becomes a path. The Globe Football Awards did not originally have a Best Middle Eastern Player category; it appeared only after Ronaldo’s arrival. Simply put, this award seems custom-made for Ronaldo. Now in his fourth season with Al-Nassr, he has yet to win a single title. The creation of this award appears to be a way to avoid an awkward situation for Ronaldo.