Despite an extraordinary 2024, Soufiane Rahimi was not named Middle East Player of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards. The award went to Cristiano Ronaldo, a decision that continues to spark debate.
Rahimi made history with Al Ain and the Moroccan national team. With his club, he won the AFC Champions League, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with 13 goals and being named its best player. A standout moment of his campaign was eliminating Al Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo in the quarter-finals. In that clash, Rahimi scored one goal in the first leg, two in the second, and converted his penalty in the shootout, which Al Ain won 3-1 at Al-Awwal Park.
On the international stage, Rahimi also shone, earning a bronze medal at the Olympics and finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with 8 goals. In total, he was involved in 45 goals (goals and assists) in 2024, underlining his immense impact.
Despite missing out on individual recognition, Rahimi takes solace in Al Ain’s continental triumph, a title in which he played a pivotal role. He expressed his pride on social media, writing: “What a way to end a historic 2024 season.” A statement that reflects his satisfaction after an unforgettable year.
