Vinicius Jr Wins FIFA Best Awards’ Player of the Year

Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Jr has been named the men’s player of the year at the Fifa Best Awards.

Spain’s Euro 2024-winning midfielder Rodri finished second to Vinicius for the award, while Real’s England player Jude Bellingham was third.

The 24-year-old Brazilian and his club boycotted the recent Ballon d’Or ceremony after missing out to Manchester City’s Rodri – but he picked up this prize in Doha.

Vinicius played a key role in Real’s Champions League and La Liga-winning campaign in 2023-24, scoring 24 goals and providing 11 assists.

Earlier in the ceremony, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati was named the women’s player of the yearfor the second year in a row.

This was the first time Vinicius has won the award and capped a happier finish to the season than October’s Ballon d’Or boycott.

“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 FIFA Best Awards are the two most prestigious in football.

This was Vinicius’ first FIFA prize, with Lionel Messi winning the previous two awards and Robert Lewandowski the two before that.

The award – for football from August 2023 to August 2024 – was decided by a mix of public vote, one journalist from each country and the captain and manager of each national team. Each group’s vote counted for 25%.

Real Madrid were already in Qatar for Wednesday’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup final against Mexican side Pachuca at Lusail Stadium.

There were five Premier League players in the men’s team of the year, to go with five from Real Madrid (including the retired Toni Kroos) and one from Barcelona.

The players selected were Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Jude Bellingham, Kroos (all Real Madrid), Rodri, Erling Haaland (both Man City), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) and Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid).

Martinez was named goalkeeper of the year after helping Argentina win the Copa America.

While the coach of the year was Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti, who led the Spanish giants to the Champions League and La Liga titles last season, the Puskas Award for the best men’s goal of the year was won by Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho for his sensational bicycle kickin their 3-0 win at Everton in November 2023.