Vinicius Jr Wins FIFA Best Men’s Player of the Year Award
Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Jr has been crowned the FIFA Best Men’s Player of the Year at the prestigious FIFA Best Awards. The 24-year-old’s exceptional performances during the 2023-24 season earned him the honor, marking his first FIFA prize.
Vinicius played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s success, contributing to their Champions League and La Liga victories. He scored 24 goals and provided 11 assists, showcasing his skill and consistency on the field.
The award ceremony, held in Doha, came after Vinicius and his club boycotted the recent Ballon d’Or event, where he missed out to Manchester City’s Rodri. This victory, however, marked a more satisfying conclusion to his season, following the disappointment of the Ballon d’Or snub.
Vinicius Jr’s win at the FIFA Best Awards is significant as it is his first recognition from the organization, with previous winners being Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski. The award, which covers the period from August 2023 to August 2024, was decided by a combination of public votes, a journalist from each country, and the votes of national team captains and managers. Each group’s vote accounted for 25%.
During his acceptance speech, Vinicius reflected on his journey, saying, “It was looking impossible for me to arrive here on this stage… I arrived from a small place, close to poverty and crime. Now I’m here.” He expressed gratitude to everyone at Real Madrid, his family, friends, staff, Flamengo, his country, and teammates for their support.
Earlier in the ceremony, Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati was named the Women’s Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.
