Soufiane Rahimi beats Rami Rabia to win UAE Pro League fans’ player of the year award

Al Ain forward Soufiane Rahimi has beaten team-mate Rami Rabia and Al Wasl midfielder Nicolas Gimenez to win the UAE Pro League’s best player award, following a vote by supporters.

The Morocco international secured the honour after receiving the highest number of votes in the final poll. Rahimi was competing directly with Rabia, his Al Ain team-mate, and Gimenez for the fans’ award.

Rabia had earlier been included among the 10 nominees for the Golden Ball award for the league’s best player. However, the Al Ain defender did not make the final shortlist for that prize.

Although Rahimi won the supporters’ award, he was beaten in the race for the Golden Ball. Matias Palacios finished ahead of Rahimi and his Al Ain team-mate Laba Kodjo to claim that honour.

The result gives Rahimi recognition from fans after a season in which Al Ain won two trophies. The club lifted both the UAE Pro League title and the cup last season, with Rabia playing a part in that successful campaign.

Rabia had also recently completed his involvement in the 2026 World Cup with Egypt. His participation in the tournament meant he was given a period of rest before joining Al Ain’s preparations for the new season.

The former Al Ahly defender was therefore absent from the opening days of his club’s preparations, before linking up with the squad.

Rahimi’s award was announced on Tuesday, 11 August 2026, after the conclusion of the public vote. The Moroccan striker’s victory means the fans’ choice went to one of Al Ain’s title-winning players, while the Golden Ball went to another member of the club’s squad in Palacios.

Al Ain’s representation in both awards reflects the club’s performances during the previous campaign. Rahimi was recognised by supporters, while Palacios was selected as the overall winner of the Golden Ball ahead of Rahimi and Laba Kodjo.

For Rabia, the fans’ award nomination followed his inclusion in the initial 10-player list for the league’s top individual prize. He ultimately finished behind Rahimi in the voting and was also eliminated from the final group of candidates for the Golden Ball.

The Egypt international’s return to Al Ain came after his post-World Cup break, as the club prepared to begin work with its squad. His season had already included the two domestic trophies won by the club, the UAE Pro League and the cup.

The supporters’ award completes a notable individual achievement for Rahimi, who prevailed over both Rabia and Gimenez in the vote.