Real Madrid and Brazil star Vinicius Junior has been named the FIFA Player of the Year.
The 24-year-old winger has largely ignored the recent Ballon d'Or ceremony with Real Madrid in favor of Manchester City's Rodri.
However, Vinicius took home this prestigious honor at the ceremony held in Doha.
Vinicius was instrumental in Real Madrid's 2023-24 campaign, claiming both the Champions League and La Liga titles.
He contributed 24 goals and 11 assists in the campaign.
Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonamati won the Player of the Year award for the second consecutive year, while Carlo Ancelotti and Emma Hayes were named Coach of the Year.
For Vinicius, this marks his first ever FIFA best award and adds a positive spin to a season that previously included a boycott of the Ballon d'Or in October.
A great time for Real Madrid. ⚪️✨ pic.twitter.com/gPLtcZ7eVP
- Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 17, 2024
The FIFA Best Awards and the Ballon d'Or are considered two of the most prestigious awards in football.
Lionel Messi has won the FIFA best award for the last two years.
In the year This year's award, which recognizes performance from August 2023 to August 2024, was divided equally between four groups in a voting process: public fans, journalists (one per country) and national team captains and managers. Each group's vote accounts for 25% of the final decision.
Vinicius' Real Madrid teammates were preparing for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar against Mexico's Pachuca at the Luzail Stadium on Wednesday.
The best men's team of the year
The FIFPro Men's World XI features five Premier League stars along with five Real Madrid players including the recently retired Toni Kroos and a Barcelona representative.
The full lineup includes:
- goalkeeperEmiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
- Defenders: Ruben Dias (Manchester City), William Lintasa (Arsenal), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid)
- Averages: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Rodri (Manchester City)
- in the futureErling Haaland (Manchester City), Lamin Yamal (Barcelona), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid).
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