Vinicius Junior: The Brazilian and Real Madrid standout receives the Men’s Player award at the FIFA Best ceremony held in Doha.

Vinicius Jr. and Bonmati Shine at The Best FIFA Awards

In a glittering ceremony held in Doha, Qatar, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior was crowned the FIFA Best Men’s Player for 2024 on Tuesday evening. The 24-year-old Brazilian forward enjoyed a stellar year, helping his club secure both the UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles, while also netting an impressive 32 goals throughout the calendar year.

One of Vinicius’ standout moments came during the Champions League final, where he scored in a commanding 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium in June. His contributions were pivotal as Carlo Ancelotti, who was also honoured as FIFA Best Men’s Coach, guided Madrid to their record-extending 15th European crown. Earlier in the year, Vinicius showcased his prowess by scoring a hat-trick in a 4-1 triumph over Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.

Vinicius’ triumph in Doha comes on the heels of a dramatic near-miss for the Ballon d’Or, where he was edged out by Manchester City midfielder Rodri for the prestigious accolade. The decision sparked outrage among Madrid supporters, leading to a boycott of the ceremony in France by several players, including Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe.

This time, however, the atmosphere was celebratory as Vinicius was present to accept his award, with his Real Madrid teammates already in Doha preparing for their Intercontinental Cup final against Pachuca on Wednesday.

Premier League Stars Recognised

The FIFA Best Team featured five players from the Premier League, alongside five from Real Madrid and one from Barcelona. Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez reclaimed the FIFA Best Goalkeeper award, a title he first won in 2022 after his World Cup heroics. Martinez’s consistent performances earned him a spot in the Team of the Year, joining fellow Premier League stars William Saliba of Arsenal and Manchester City trio Ruben Dias, Rodri, and Erling Haaland.

Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Jude Bellingham, Toni Kroos, and Vinicius were also included in the prestigious lineup, alongside Barcelona’s 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal.

In a notable recognition, Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho took home the Puskas Award for his stunning overhead kick against Everton last season, adding to the evening’s accolades.

Bonmati’s Back-to-Back Triumph

In the women’s category, Spain’s Aitana Bonmati made headlines by winning the FIFA Best Women’s Player award for the second consecutive year, further solidifying her status as one of the game’s elite talents.

The 2024 FIFA Best Awards showcased the incredible talent across the footballing world, with Vinicius Jr. and Bonmati leading the charge in their respective categories. As the footballing calendar continues, fans will be eager to see how these stars perform in the months ahead.