Azmoun wins Golden Ball in UAE Pro League Awards
Shabab Al Ahli striker Sardar Azmoun won the Golden Ball for Best Player of the Emirati ADNOC Pro League 2024/25 season, beating fellow Iranian Mahdi Qayedi and Sharjah’s Brazilian winger Caio Lucas to the prestigious prize.
In his debut season in Asian club football, Azmoun scored 11 goals and contributed six assists in 21 league appearances to lead nine-time champion Shabab Al Ahli to a second top-flight trophy in three seasons and secure a place in the league phase of the upcoming AFC Champions Elite season.
“I’m so thrilled and feel incredible – maybe even too excited to sleep tonight!” Azmoun said after receiving the award, adding, “I want to thank everyone who made this possible: my teammates, the club president, the fans, the coach, my wife, and all those who supported me. They played a huge role in my success and always encouraged me. I hope this journey continues and that I keep shining.”
“My main goal is to shine again next season and win trophies with the team. I believe in this squad and these players. The challenges ahead are tough, but with this group, we can excel and keep winning titles. I love scoring goals, especially in the finals as it makes it all the more exciting.”
When Azmoun left Bayer Leverkusen last summer to join Shabab Al Ahli, his move was widely regarded as the beginning of the end for the 30-year-old striker. However, a prolific campaign saw him bag 26 goals and 10 assists in 39 outings across all competitions as Shabab Al Ahli also won the UAE Super Cup and Qatar-UAE Challenge Shield.
Azmoun was the joint leading marksman – alongside Caio Lucas – in the AFC Champions League Two with nine strikes, though Shabab Al Ahli crashed out in the quarterfinals, courtesy of a shootout defeat against eventual champion Sharjah.
Azmoun’s international teammate Qayedi, meanwhile, enjoyed an impressive loan season with Ittihad Kalba, registering 16 goals and seven assists in 23 league games – second-highest goal contribution in the Emirati top flight behind Al Ain’s Togolese forward Kodjo Laba.
The Iranian international winger was also the third-top scorer and fourth-best assist provider in the league last season before securing a permanent move to Al Nasr from parent club Shabab Al Ahli in July.