Vinicius Jr Claims FIFA Best Men’s Player Award After Champions League Triumph

Real Madrid and Brazil forward Vinicius Jr has been named FIFA’s Best Men’s Player of the Year for 2024 at a ceremony held in Doha, Qatar.

Doha – Real Madrid and Brazil forward Vinicius Jr has been named FIFA’s Best Men’s Player of the Year for 2024 at a ceremony held in Doha, Qatar.

The 24-year-old claimed the prestigious award following an outstanding season in which he helped Real Madrid secure both the Champions League and La Liga titles.

The Brazilian international recorded impressive statistics during the 2023-24 campaign, scoring 24 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions.

His contributions were particularly crucial in Real Madrid’s Champions League success, including scoring in the final victory over Borussia Dortmund.

This recognition comes just months after a controversial Ballon d’Or ceremony in October, which saw Vinicius finish second to Manchester City’s Rodri.

Real Madrid notably boycotted that ceremony, with sources close to the player suggesting that his active stance against racism might have influenced the outcome.

Following the Ballon d’Or results, Vinicius had posted on social media platform X: “I’ll do it 10 times if I have to. They’re not ready.”

The FIFA Best award was determined through a comprehensive voting system, with equal weight given to four groups: public votes, journalists (one from each country), and national team captains and managers, each accounting for 25% of the final decision.

In other major awards at the ceremony, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati retained her title as Best Women’s Player of the Year, while Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti was named Best Men’s Coach of the Year after guiding his team to the domestic and European double.

Emma Hayes, who led the United States to Olympic gold in Paris, secured the Best Women’s Coach of the Year award.

Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho won the Puskas award for Goal of the Year for his spectacular overhead kick against Everton, while Argentina and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez was named the Best Goalkeeper.

The ceremony took place at Doha’s Aspire Academy, with Real Madrid already in Qatar for Wednesday’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup final against Pachuca at Lusail Stadium.