Beach Soccer World Awards: Celebrating the Sport's Greatest Talents
The Beach Soccer World (BSWW) awards represent the pinnacle of individual and collective achievement in the sand. By recognizing the most outstanding players, coaches, and officials, these awards highlight the evolution of beach soccer from a leisure activity to a highly competitive global sport. From the tactical brilliance of the coaches to the acrobatic saves of the goalkeepers, the awards chronicle the history of the game's most influential figures.
The selection process varies by category. Most major awards, including the Best Player and Best Coach, are decided by a democratic vote from national team captains and coaches. In contrast, specialized honors like the Rising Star and Best Event are determined by a BSWW panel of experts, while the Best Goal is decided by the fans through a public vote.
It is worth noting that no ceremony was held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the 2023 edition experienced a delay, taking place in February 2024 to align with the 2024 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Dubai.
Key Facts
- Voting Power: Most awards are decided by a peer-review system involving national team captains and coaches.
- Fan Engagement: The "Best Goal" is the only category decided entirely by public voting via the BSWW website.
- Women's Inclusion: The Best Women's Player award was introduced in 2017, followed by the Best Women's Goalkeeper in 2023 and the Best Women's Five in 2025.
- Legendary Status: The Best Legend award, started in 2019, honors figures like Júnior and Madjer for their lifelong contributions to the sport.
- Global Reach: Winners represent a diverse array of nations, with Brazil, Portugal, and Spain frequently dominating the top honors.
Individual Excellence: Players and Goalkeepers
The Best Player award is the most prestigious individual honor. Historically, players like Madjer (Portugal) and Bruno Xavier (Brazil) set the early standard, while recent years have seen the rise of Bê Martins and Rodrigo. The process involves a shortlist of three nominees revealed before the ceremony, with the winner being the player who secured the most votes from their peers.
Similarly, the Best Goalkeeper award recognizes the specialized skill required to defend a beach soccer goal. Eliott Mounoud of Switzerland has emerged as a dominant force in recent years, alongside stalwarts like Elinton Andrade of Portugal and Tiago Bobô of Brazil.
For the youth, the Rising Star award identifies the next generation of talent. This award is decided by BSWW experts without a public shortlist. Notable winners include Noël Ott (Switzerland) in 2014 and Bruno Pola (Portugal) in 2025.
Tactical Mastery and Team Success
The Best Coach award honors the strategic minds behind the world's most successful teams. Figures such as Gilberto Costa (Brazil) and Angelo Schirinzi (Switzerland) have been recognized for their ability to manage both national teams and professional clubs like Kristall.
To recognize collective excellence, the Best Five is selected annually. This is a conceptual "World XI" consisting of a goalkeeper, two defenders, a midfielder, and a forward. This list highlights the most consistent performers across the season, with Ozu Moreira (Japan) appearing as a recurring fixture in the defensive line for many years.
The Best Event award focuses on the organization and impact of competitions. This has included major tournaments like the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup and the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup, recognizing the locations and dates that provided the most memorable sporting experiences.
Women's Beach Soccer Growth
The expansion of the awards to include women reflects the rapid growth of the female game. Since 2017, the Best Women's Player award has seen a fierce rivalry between Adriele Rocha (Brazil) and Andrea Mirón (Spain). The introduction of the Best Women's Goalkeeper in 2023 and the Best Women's Five in 2025 further formalizes the recognition of female athletes in the sport.
The 2025 Best Women's Five, for example, showcases a powerhouse combination of Brazilian and Spanish talent, featuring Lelê Lopes, Andrea Mirón, Bárbara Colodetti, Adriana Manau, and Taiane Costa.
Specialized Honors: Legends, Referees, and Goals
The Best Legend award is reserved for those whose impact transcends a single season. From Júnior's six World Cup wins to Madjer's status as the greatest player of all time, this award preserves the heritage of beach soccer.
The Best Referee award, introduced in 2023, brings much-needed attention to the officials. This honor has been awarded to figures such as Michele Conti (Italy) and Łukasz Ostrowski (Poland) for their contributions to the game's integrity.
Finally, the Best Goal award celebrates the spectacular nature of the sport. Fans vote on a shortlist of ten goals, resulting in winners like the legendary Madjer and more recent stars like Glenn Hodel of Switzerland.
Summary of Award Categories
| Award Category | Decided By | Introduced | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Player / Goalkeeper / Coach | Players & Coaches | Early Years | Annual performance excellence |
| Rising Star / Best Event | BSWW Experts | Early Years | Potential and organizational success |
| Best Goal | Fans | Early Years | Technical brilliance and aesthetics |
| Best Women's Player | Players & Coaches | 2017 | Female individual excellence |
| Best Legend | BSWW Experts | 2019 | Lifelong contribution to the sport |
| Best Referee | BSWW Experts | 2023 | Officiating and instruction |
| Best Women's Five | Players & Coaches | 2025 | Top female collective unit |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides who wins the Best Player award?
The Best Player is chosen by the captains and coaches of the national teams. They vote for their preferred candidate, and BSWW releases a shortlist of the top three vote-getters before announcing the final winner at the ceremony.
Why was there no award ceremony in 2020?
The 2020 ceremony was cancelled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
How is the Best Goal determined?
The Best Goal is the only award decided by the fans. BSWW nominates a shortlist of ten goals, and supporters vote for their favorite via the official website.
When were the women's categories introduced?
The Best Women's Player award began in 2017, the Best Women's Goalkeeper in 2023, and the Best Women's Five in 2025.
What is the "Best Five" award?
The Best Five is similar to the FIFA World XI in association football; it is a selection of the five best players of the year (one goalkeeper, two defenders, one midfielder, and one forward) as voted by players and coaches.
Who is considered the best player of all-time according to the Legend awards?
Madjer of Portugal, who received the Best Legend award in 2022, is considered the best player of all-time, boasting three World Cup wins and 11 individual awards.