Real Madrid and Brazil forward Vinicius Junior has been named the 2024 Men’s Player of the Year at The Best FIFA Awards held in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, Afrosport reports.
The award, which takes into consideration the period from August 2023 to August 2024, was decided by a combination of votes from the public, the captain and manager of each national team, and one journalist from each country.
Vinicius, who recently boycotted the Ballon d’Or ceremony along with his club teammates and executives after having lost out on the honours to Manchester City midfielder Rodri, gets his hands on the award for the first time.
The 24-year-old was instrumental to Madrid’s success in the 2023-24 season as they claimed both the La Liga and Champions League titles, registering 24 goals and providing 11 assists.
“It seemed impossible when I played barefoot in the streets of Sao Goncalo and now I’m here,” said Vinicius.
👏 @vinijr, The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2024! #TheBest pic.twitter.com/fVeQC3vUBT
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 17, 2024
The Real Madrid No. 7 beat Rodri and teammate Jude Bellingham to the award, with the latter duo finishing second and third, respectively.
Vinicius’ win brings an end to Lionel Messi’s run, as the Argentine forward won the award in the previous two years.
Vinicius and Real, however, will be in action in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final against Mexican side Pachuca at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar on Wednesday.
The Coach of the Year award was won by Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, who led Los Blancos to La Liga and Champions League triumphs.
The 65-year-old Italian, who was also named Coach of the Year at the Ballon d’Or, claimed the award for the first time.
“I want to share this with the club, with my president and with my players, those of the best club in the world,” Ancelotti said.
🙌 @MrAncelotti, #TheBest FIFA Men’s Coach 2024! pic.twitter.com/PQHYvuJNhX
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 17, 2024
Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho claimed the Puskas Award for The Best Men’s Goal of the Year.
The 20-year-old won the honours with his sublime bicycle kick in United’s 3-0 win at Everton in November 2023.
“I’m very proud to win this award,” Garnacho said in a pre-recorded interview. “It’s a proud moment for me and my family. It was a special goal and I will always remember it.”
There’s a twinkle in his eye 👁️✨@AGarnacho7 has won the 2024 #PuskasAward 🔥#MUFC || #FIFATheBestAwards pic.twitter.com/hDXinL6NGg
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 17, 2024
Argentina and Aston Villa shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez was named the Goalkeeper of the Year, completing a double scoop, having also won the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Martinez, who claimed the accolade for the second straight year, won the Copa America with Argentina.
Meanwhile, The Best FIFA Men’s XI comprises a star-studded crop with five Premier League players and six from La Liga—five from Real Madrid (including the retired Toni Kroos) and one from Barcelona.
The players on the team were Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), William Saliba (Arsenal), Rodri, Erling Haaland (both Man City), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), and Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Jude Bellingham, Kroos, and Vinicius Jr. (all Real Madrid).
