How to read this story
Football
Sports Report
Spain · Southern Europe
Performance, competition, community identity and sports economy
FIFA Awards: Vinicius Jr claims best men’s player as Aitana Bonmati ‘named best women’s player’
Following sterling and stellar performances over the years, the Brazilian prodigy has finally been honoured.
It takes resilience, ruggedness and die-hard desires for any performer to be recognised at the global level.
Two months ago, many appeared to question Rodri being awarded the Ballon d’Or at the expense of the worthy winner, Vinicius Jr.
A decision which angered entire Real Madrid staff−their president, coach and team−neglected the Ballon d’Or Gala night in Paris, France.
It was a statement of truism and transparency, last night, as FIFA; the World Football Governing Body, named Vinicius Jr. the men’s player of the year at the FIFA Best Awards.
Vinicius Jr. with his club, Real Madrid, snubbed the recent Ballon d’Or ceremony in France after it appeared that the twenty-four years old missed out to Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri, but he just had to wait for two months to pick the most coveted FIFA award last night in Doha.
The Brazilian forward was instrumental to Real Madrid’s Champions League and La Liga successes last season, netting twenty-four times and providing eleven assists in the process.
Initially into the ceremony, Barcelona female midfielder Aitana Bonmati was named the ‘Women’s Player of the Year’ for the second time in a row.
This award came as first for Vinicius Jr. who endured pains and ridicules after being snubbed for the Ballon d’Or award in October. As it is, he is ending the year happier than as he was before claiming the FIFA award.
“It seemed impossible when I played barefoot in the streets of Sao Goncalo and now I’m here,” Vinicius said.
The Ballon d’Or and the FIFA Best Awards remain the two most prestigious and most coveted awards in the world of football.
This happens to be Vinicius’ first FIFA award, with Lionel Messi having claimed the previous two and Robert Lewandowski also claimed two be that.
The FIFA Award−from August 2023 to August 2024−was a decision made through public votes, one journalist from each football-playing country and the captain and manager of each national team. Vote from each group is counted for 25%.
Real Madrid, with their team, already travelled to Qatar for Wednesday’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup final against Mexican side Pachuca at Lusail Stadium.
Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri finished second to and behind Vinicius for the award, while England and Real Madrid attacker Jude Bellingham was voted third.
Details have been released by FIFA on whom each coach and captains of each team voted for.
England captain and Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane voted for Rodri, with his national team-mate Bellingham voted second and Vinicius third.
The then Interim England manager voted Bellingham first, Rodri second and Barcelona’s starlet Lamine Yamal as third.
FIFA Awards: Vinicius Jr Claims Best Men’s Player
Scotland coach Steve Clarke and Wales Manager Craig Bellamy both voted Rodri for the most prestigious award.
Former Arsenal midfielder and Wales captain Aaron Ramsey opted for Vinicius, while Northern Ireland captain Paddy McNair went for Rodri.
Brazil’s skipper and coach voted for Vinicius, but their Spanish counterparts mutually opted for Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal.
FIFA Team of the year: Martinez, Dias, Saliba, Rodri, Haaland make the team selection.
Five Premier League players feature in the FIFA Men’s Team of the Year, five players also from Real Madrid, including the recently retired Toni Kroos, and one from their title rivals, Barcelona
The FIFA Men’s Team
- Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa),
- Ruben Dias (Manchester City),
- William Saliba (Arsenal),
- Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid),
- Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid),
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid),
- Toni Kroos (Real Madrid),
- Rodri (Manchester City),
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City),
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), and
- Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid).
Emiliano Martinez was named FIFA goalkeeper of the year following his heroic display during Argentina Copa America win.
The Aston Villa and former Arsenal goalkeeper has now won the award twice at Ballon d’Or and FIFA Best Awards.
Manchester United youngster Alejandro Garnacho stunner wins Puskas Award.
The United young winger’s acrobatic strike against Everton in the English Premier League was initially named the ‘Premier League goal of the season.’
The Puskas Award for the best men’s goal of the year went to Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho for his acrobatic strike during United’s 3-0 win at the Goddison Park in November 2023.
West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus’ beautiful solo goal in the Europa League against Freiburg was also nominated for the Puskas Award.
Until the current season, the award covered all football but a newly introduced ‘Marta Award’ will be used for women’s game.
“I’m very proud to win this award,” said Argentine Garnacho 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.”
Ancelotti, Coach of the Year
Real Madrid’s Italian Carlo Ancelotti was named the coach of the year. The Italian led the Spanish football giants to the double−Champion League and La Liga titles−last season.
The former Chelsea and PSG boss won the award, for the first time since its emergence in 2016.
“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.
The Real’s coach also won the similar award at Ballon d’Or which simply means that Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso, who led the club to their first German double, was not recognised as the worthy winner.
English Premier League coaches have also been the winners of the FIFA Men’s Best Coach Award−Claudio Ranieri (Leicester City), Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool, twice), Thomas Tuchel (Chelsea), and last on the list, Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) who won it last year.
FIFA Awards: Vinicius Jr Claims Best Men’s Player
