DOHA: Real Madrid striker Vinicius Junior won the men’s player of the year award at The Best FIFA ceremony in Doha early this morning, while Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the women’s award for the second time.
The award comes two months after 24-year-old Vinicius finished second in the Ballon d’Or, with Real opting to boycott the ceremony when they learned in advance that Manchester City midfielder Rodri had won the trophy.
However, the Brazilian player this time was present to receive the award in Qatar with his club ahead of the Intercontinental Cup final against Mexican club Pachuca early tomorrow morning.
“Thank you so much. I don’t know where to start. It’s impossible to think I could get here. I grew up in a world of poverty, organized crime. It’s for all the children who grow up in that world. I thank everyone who voted for me,” Vinicius said on stage.
“Thanks to my family, to the club, to my teammates, to Carletto (Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti), who often helps me.
“To everyone who helped make my dream come true. I hope to be in Madrid for many years, because it’s the best club in the world. To Flamengo (his first club in Brazil). To my teammates in the national team. Also to my country, which has always supported me in all my work.”
Vinicius replaced Lionel Messi as FIFA’s best men’s player after the Argentine star won the last two editions of the award.
The striker scored 24 goals and provided 11 assists in 39 appearances in all competitions as he guided Real to a La Liga and Champions League double last season.
After completing his third La Liga title in May, Vinicius secured the second Champions League trophy of his career when Real beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 on June 1.
Vinicius was on the scoresheet at Wembley with a stunning finish in the final 10 minutes to ensure the title was within their grasp.
26-year-old Spaniard Bonmati won the FIFA Women’s Player of the Year award for the second year in a row, adding to her two previous Ballon d’Or trophies.
“I am grateful, I am proud to receive this award,” said Bonmati via video link from the Olympic Stadium, Barcelona.
Last season, Bonmati guided Barcelona to a historic treble and won the Nations League with his national team.
She won every trophy with her club in 2023-24 – the Spanish league, Copa de la Reina, Supercopa de Espana and the Women’s Champions League for the second time in a row.
Bonmati scored one goal and produced a man-of-the-match display as Barcelona beat Lyon 2-0 in the Champions League final to claim their third title in four seasons.
Manchester United’s Argentine striker Alejandro Garnacho has won the Puskas award for the best goal of the year following his scissor kick against Everton in the Premier League.
Ancelotti won the men’s coach of the year award, after the Italian guided his club to a league and Champions League double last season.
“I want to share this success with the club, with my president and players, the best club in the world,” Ancelotti said.
Emma Hayes won the women’s coach of the year award, after guiding the United States to gold at this year’s Olympics and guiding Chelsea to the WSL title last season, their fifth consecutive title with the club.
The men’s goalkeeper award was won by Argentina’s Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez while the women’s award was won by the US’s Alyssa Naeher and Chicago Red Stars’ AFP.