2019 edition LAUREATES
JOURNALIST AWARD
Steve McManaman
COACHING ACHIEVEMENT
Didier Deschamps
CATEGORIES OF THE 2019 EDITION
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
The Lifetime Achievement award recognised football players at the peak of their playing career. This category paid tribute to players who showed true commitment to the game, the fans, and their teams, and in doing so earned a ‘lifetime’ of love and respect from their fans worldwide.
FOOTBALL PERSONALITY
The Football Personality award acknowledged a player who had shown their appreciation and understanding of their position as a well-known professional footballer, role model, and icon. The winner was someone who wields influence over a global audience through their own social media channels and traditional networks to engage and inspire in a positive and passionate way.
NEWCOMER
This was an award that recognised the future talent in football, an exceptional player who took the football world by storm and ignited the imaginations of fans across the globe, while showcasing sportsmanship and fair play values.
FOOTBALL JOURNALIST
The media have an influence on how we perceive the game should be played and they can highlight the good of the game with behind-the-scenes insight. This award was for those who had done this in abundance, helping to educate people about football – on and off the pitch.
INFLUENCER
This award recognised legendary football heroes who have had an extraordinary influence and have been a dominant force on the pitch; those who constantly create moments of history, inspire us, and influence the world.
COACHING ACHIEVEMENT
An award that recognised one of the most important figures in the game of football; the coach, paying tribute to their skill and that which makes them what they are. The winner was chosen for their relentless nature and the drive they have to deliver success for their players and their teams.
2020 AWARD CEREMONY HIGHLIGHTS
The 2019 Awards Ceremony in Huaxi, Guiyang was a two-day celebration (held on July 13th and 14th) which included a number of local and international activities focused around the 2019 Awards Ceremony revealing the winners for categories. The event was filled with artistic and visual performance amongst a star-studded line up of football’s past and present stars. The event took place in Nanchengmen, Qingyan Ancient Town with the goal of honoring football greatness and talent.
Learn more here
THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH FOOTBALL
On Saturday, players engaged with local fans and community members by holding coaching sessions with kids through the Academy Master Course. This course is devoted to the development of youth football. The goal was to open up opportunities for Chinese youth football players to to enter the European youth training system and to help young people who love football and have football talent to achieve their world football dreams.