A meeting of sporting giants

Whenever the conversation turns to the greatest athletes of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo and Novak Djokovic are never far from the debate. Though both are deep into the latter stages of their careers, retirement remains a distant thought — pushed away by the same relentless drive to compete and win.

That mindset was on full display at the Globe Soccer Awards, where the Serbian tennis legend became the first-ever recipient of the Globe Sports Award, presented to him by none other than Ronaldo himself.

Ronaldo honors Djokovic on a special night

Fresh off being named Middle East Player of the Year for his performances with Al Nassr, Ronaldo took center stage once again — this time to honor another icon.

The 40-year-old Portuguese star spoke with clear admiration, describing Djokovic as a model of excellence and longevity, and acknowledging the similarities in their journeys at the highest level of sport.

“For me, he is an example of longevity,” Ronaldo said. “We have a similar story. He deserves this because he is an example for the past generation, the current one and the next.”

Opening minds beyond football

Ronaldo also highlighted the broader vision behind the Globe Sports Award, emphasizing the importance of recognizing excellence across disciplines.

“As you know, I am a man of challenges. This is a new era,” Ronaldo explained. “We have to open our minds to other sports. The world needs to see great quality beyond football.”

“I love football, but I also love other sports. I learn from great personalities in different disciplines. That was the idea behind creating this award.”

Cristiano’s 1,000-goal promise

Earlier in the evening, after collecting his own individual honor, Ronaldo delivered one of the night’s most memorable lines. Coming off a recent brace with Al Nassr that took him to 956 career goals, the message was clear.

“I will reach 1,000 goals for sure — as long as I stay healthy,” he said with a smile.

The statement, part ambition and part warning, underscored why retirement is not yet part of his vocabulary.

Djokovic returns the praise

The respect was mutual. Speaking after receiving the Globe Sports Award, Djokovic highlighted Ronaldo’s determination and “unbreakable motivation” as a mirror of his own career in tennis.

“I’m very grateful to hear these words from him and to call him my friend,” Djokovic said. “You see someone who has won everything, and yet still wants more. Even though we are in different sports, we can support each other and show future generations that there are no limits.”

The 38-year-old Serbian added that passion and discipline often outweigh age, sending a message that resonated far beyond the ceremony.

“This award sends a powerful message. Sport can change lives. When Cristiano says he will reach 1,000 goals, you see the power of the mind. The mind controls everything.”

A shared legacy

Different sports, different paths — but the same elite mentality. On a night designed to celebrate excellence across disciplines, Cristiano Ronaldo and Novak Djokovic delivered a reminder that greatness is sustained not by age, but by ambition, discipline and an unrelenting desire to keep pushing forward.

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