Vinícius Jr. awarded FIFA Best Men's Player of the Year

Vinícius Jr., the talented winger from Real Madrid and Brazil, has been named the FIFA Best Men’s Player of the Year at the prestigious FIFA Best Awards. The 24-year-old forward, who had recently boycotted the Ballon d’Or ceremony after missing out on the award to Manchester City’s Rodri, was honored in Doha for his exceptional performances during the 2023-24 season.

Vinícius was a key figure in Real Madrid’s remarkable success, playing a pivotal role in the club’s victories in both the Champions League and La Liga. His stellar season saw him score an impressive 24 goals and provide 11 assists, showcasing his offensive prowess and solidifying his position as one of the world’s top footballers. This award marks his first FIFA Best honor and represents a significant milestone in his career.

Reflecting on his extraordinary journey, Vinícius shared an emotional statement, saying, “It seemed impossible when I played barefoot in the streets of São Gonçalo and now I’m here.” His victory not only capped an incredible season but also served as a more positive ending to the year after his decision to skip the Ballon d’Or ceremony in October.

The FIFA Best Awards are widely regarded as two of the most prestigious honors in football, alongside the Ballon d’Or. This year, Vinícius succeeded Lionel Messi, who had claimed the previous two FIFA Best titles, and Robert Lewandowski, who won the award in the years before that. The awards, which cover football achievements from August 2023 to August 2024, were determined by a mixture of public votes, a vote from one journalist from each country, and votes from national team captains and managers. Each group’s vote contributed 25% to the final result.

In addition to Vinícius’ victory, Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati was named the Women’s Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. Her continued excellence on the pitch earned her the recognition once again, underscoring her dominance in the women’s game.

Behind Vinícius, Rodri, Spain’s Euro 2024-winning midfielder, finished second, while Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham came in third place. England’s captain, Harry Kane, voted Rodri as his top pick, followed by Bellingham and Vinícius. England’s interim manager Lee Carsley chose Bellingham, Rodri, and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal in that order.

Real Madrid also had a strong presence in the team of the year, with five players selected, including the retired Toni Kroos. Other members of the team were Premier League stars such as Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), William Saliba (Arsenal), and Manchester City’s Rodri. Additionally, Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger, Dani Carvajal, and Jude Bellingham were all named, as well as Vinícius Jr. himself, who secured a place in the lineup following his exceptional season.

Emiliano Martínez was honored as the Best Goalkeeper of the Year after his instrumental role in Argentina’s victory at the Copa América, earning this award for the second time. Martínez had previously won the honor at the Ballon d’Or awards, further solidifying his place among the world’s top goalkeepers. The Puskás Award for the best men’s goal of the year went to Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho for his stunning bicycle kick against Everton in November 2023. Mohammed Kudus, whose brilliant solo goal for West Ham in the Europa League against Freiburg was also nominated, represented another impressive strike.

This year’s FIFA Best Awards also introduced the Marta Award, dedicated to recognizing the top female players separately from the men’s awards. This change in the structure reflects the growing recognition of women’s football and its increasing prominence in the global footballing landscape.

Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti was named Coach of the Year after leading the Spanish giants to both the Champions League and La Liga titles in the 2023-24 season. This was Ancelotti’s first time winning the award, which has been given annually since 2016. The 65-year-old Italian manager shared his honor with the club, his players, and the club’s president, acknowledging their collective effort in achieving such great success. Ancelotti’s triumph meant that Xabi Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to a historic German double, was overlooked in both the FIFA Best and Ballon d’Or awards.

The FIFA Best Awards once again highlighted the achievements of top-tier players and coaches from around the globe. Vinícius Jr.’s win capped off an extraordinary season and solidified his status as one of the brightest stars in world football. With this recognition, Vinícius now looks ahead to continuing his ascent to even greater heights in the sport.