Monaco’s luxurious Automobile Club hosted a memorable night on October 31st, as the Golden Foot Awards celebrated their 21st edition. Over the years, this unique event has become a fixture in the football calendar, carving out its legacy as both a glamorous ceremony and a tribute to the world’s football greats. From nostalgic legends to active stars, the event commemorated an eclectic mix of honorees, each leaving their indelible mark—quite literally—on the renowned Champions Promenade in Larvotto.
Legends Etched in Footprints
The evening paid homage to five former players, elevating them to the esteemed rank of Golden Foot Legends. Fabio Cannavaro, Gerard Piqué, Rui Costa, Ruud Krol, and Fernando Llorente joined the ranks of football immortals. Fabio Cannavaro, the World Cup-winning defender who also claimed the Ballon d’Or in 2006, reflected on the honour: “It’s something unique to be associated with these great players. It makes me very proud.” His sentiment resonated with all the legendary figures present.
Antonio Caliendo, the mastermind behind the Golden Foot Awards since their inception in 2003, opened the event with a tribute to the continued success of the awards. “We’ve grown, but the essence remains the same: celebrating not just the present stars but the timeless impact of our legends.” With over 120 footprints already imprinted on the Promenade, the tradition continues to expand.
Rising Stars Take Centre Stage
Amidst the revered legends, the spotlight also shone on contemporary stars. The Women’s Golden Foot Award, only recently introduced in 2022, was claimed by Japan’s Saki Kumagai. A serial winner with five Champions League titles, Kumagai took the stage with a message of empowerment: “I hope my achievement today inspires little girls to seek careers in football because anything is possible for us women.” Her passion for the sport, alongside her remarkable career, received thunderous applause from the audience.
Meanwhile, on the men’s side, Lautaro Martínez was honoured as the 2024 Golden Foot recipient. Despite his absence from the event, the Inter Milan forward expressed his gratitude via video. “The first words that come to mind are: thank you. I am happy to share this award with my family, my friends, and all the people who have always supported me,” said Martínez. He joins a prestigious list of previous winners like Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba. However, the surprise of the night was the absence of Lionel Messi’s name among the winners, despite widespread speculation that this year would be his turn.
The Future: A Golden Foot Legends Café Museum
Beyond the awards, a visionary project dominated conversations at the pre-ceremony press conference. Plans for the Golden Foot Legends Café Museum were revealed, aiming to create a vibrant cultural space near the Champions Promenade. Envisioned as a 600-square-metre, two-storey venue, this museum will be a groundbreaking blend of sports bar and interactive experience. With holograms, mobile apps, and cutting-edge digital features, the museum aspires to transform Monaco into an even more enticing destination for football aficionados.
Projected on a large screen at the conference, this ambitious concept awaits final approval from local authorities. Should the project move forward, the museum would take 18 months to construct, and discussions are already underway to secure the perfect location. The Rainier-III dam has been suggested, though nothing has been finalized.
The Golden Foot Awards have always celebrated the best in football, and with this latest announcement, it seems poised to offer fans an even richer, more immersive experience. Whether through honouring icons of the past or inspiring future stars, the Golden Foot tradition continues to stride forward with style and innovation.
