Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappé has been crowned the Best Men’s Player of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards' Europe Edition, held in Sardinia, Italy.
The prestigious award acknowledges Mbappé’s exceptional performances for both PSG and the French national team, solidifying his reputation as one of the world's best footballers.
Over the past year, Mbappé has been instrumental in PSG’s domestic dominance, as well as France’s strong international performances, showcasing his electrifying pace, clinical finishing, and leadership on the field.
Expressing his gratitude, Mbappé stated, “Winning this award is a great honor. It’s a recognition of the hard work I’ve put in, and I want to thank my teammates, coaches, and fans for their constant support.”
The Globe Soccer Awards, which celebrate excellence in football, honor top players, coaches, and clubs worldwide.
Mbappé’s victory places him alongside previous winners like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Robert Lewandowski, further cementing his place among the sport’s elite.
PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi praised Mbappé’s impact, saying, “Kylian is a phenomenal player and a true leader. He continues to set new standards in football, and this award is well deserved.”
With speculation growing over Mbappé’s future, including potential moves to Real Madrid or the Premier League, the forward remains focused on his current success.
“I always strive to improve and achieve more. My journey is far from over, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
The U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) has successfully defended itself against an antitrust lawsuit filed by the now-defunct North American Soccer League (NASL).
The NASL had accused US Soccer and Major League Soccer (MLS) of conspiring to block its ability to compete at the highest level of men's professional soccer by repeatedly denying its applications for Division II status.
The league argued that USSF’s sanctioning process unfairly favored MLS, preventing independent leagues from gaining recognition and financial stability.
However, the jury ruled in favor of US Soccer and MLS, stating that the NASL’s failure was due to its own mismanagement rather than an unfair system.
Reacting to the verdict, US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone stated, “This decision reaffirms that our federation operates in the best interests of the sport and its growth in the U.S.”
The ruling comes as a relief to MLS and US Soccer, which faced significant legal challenges over their governance of professional leagues.
The lawsuit had raised concerns over whether the USSF holds too much power in determining league sanctioning, an issue that could have reshaped the landscape of American soccer had the NASL won the case.
Critics, however, believe that the case exposed deeper issues in how professional leagues are structured, with former NASL executive Rishi Sehgal arguing, “The current system remains closed and anti-competitive, limiting opportunities for independent clubs to thrive.”
While the legal battle has ended, discussions over the structure and accessibility of professional soccer in the U.S. will likely continue.