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Dubai, Dec. 30, 2014 - Bayern Munich’s Moroccan defender Mehdi Benatia was picked the Best Arab Player of the Year at the Global Soccer Awards on Monday night in Dubai.

After collecting his trophy at a glittering ceremony at Atlantis The Palm, the Moroccan defender, who has joined the Bundesliga for just a few months, expressed his joy to have received this award usually granted to strikers and scorers.

Benatia also said that he always tries to "do his job in the best way," adding that his "mission is to defend, but scoring gives him an additional joy".

The battling player has played in France, then Italy, and now is earning similar accolades in Germany, at the country’s model club, Bayern Munich. 

During this ceremony, Real Madrid harvested seven of the 15 Globe Soccer Awards on offer as the Dubai International Sports Conference concluded at Atlantis, The Palm, late on Monday.

Forward Cristiano Ronaldo won Player of the Year and Fans’ Player of The Year, while coach Carlo Ancelotti won Coach of the Year and Best Media Attraction. Real also won Club of the Year and Florentino Perez won President of the Year, while Los Blancos’ attacking midfielder James Rodriguez won Best Newcomer.

Meanwhile, AC Milan coach and former striker Filippo Inzaghi received a special Player Career Award, AC Milan captain Riccardo Montolivo won Best Professional and Monaco and Atletico Madrid received special awards for feats achieved despite financial restrictions.

MAP