Moroccan Sofiane Rahimi, the star of Emirati Al Ain, lost the race to win the Golden Ball for the best player in the ADNOC Professional League.
Rahimi competed for the Golden Ball with his teammate Matias Palacios, and his former teammate Laba Kodjo, who moved this summer to Sharjah.
The Emirati Professional League website mentioned that Palacios won the Golden Ball award for the best player, while Al Ain's goalkeeper Khaled Issa was crowned with the Golden Glove award for the best goalkeeper.
The league's website clarified that Rahimi won the best player award, chosen by the public, and was also included in the Dream Team lineup for the 2025-2026 season, alongside his Egyptian teammate Rami Rabia.
Sofiane Rahimi had recently announced his father's illness, and asked his fans to pray for his speedy recovery.
Rahimi wrote, "Nothing has broken me except my father's illness. My heart hurts when he is in pain, and it is enough for me to be tired, O God, I have no energy to see him in pain.. O Lord, You know and see how much his illness breaks me, so have mercy on his weakness and be kind to his condition, O Lord, heal my father."
It is worth noting that Sofiane Rahimi was crowned with Al Ain in the previous season with the domestic double (ADNOC Professional League and the President's Cup).
