Vinicius Junior Wins 2024 FIFA Men’s Player Award

Real Madrid and Brazil forward Vinicius Junior has been named the men’s player of the year at the FIFA Best awards ceremony, which were held in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old superstar won the UEFA Champions League as well as a La Liga title last season.

The award comes a couple of months after he dramatically missed out on the Ballon d’Or to Manchester City midfielder Rodri.

The 24-year-old claimed UEFA Champions League and La Liga success with the Spanish giants in 2024, and scored 32 goals for his club side across the calendar year.

One of those goals came in the Champions League final, a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium in June, as Carlo Ancelotti – who was named The Best FIFA Men’s Coach – led Madrid to a record-extending 15th European crown.

The Brazilian also netted a hat-trick in a 4-1 Spanish Super Cup final triumph against rivals Barcelona at the beginning of the year.

Vinicius’ victory in Doha comes two months after he dramatically missed out on the Ballon d’Or with Manchester City midfielder Rodri, claiming the most prestigious individual prize in world football instead.

In controversial circumstances, anger was sparked in Madrid after it was believed Vinicius would collect the 68th edition of the Ballon d’Or.

Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony in France, with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Ancelotti not showing up.

In more cordial circumstances this time, Vinicius was in attendance to pick up his prize, with Madrid already present in the capital of Doha as they prepare for their Intercontinental Cup final against Pachuca on Wednesday.

● Six Premier League players recognised

Fiver Premier League players were named in The Best FIFA Team of the Year, with five more coming from Real Madrid and one from Barcelona.

Emiliano Martinez claimed back The Best FIFA Goalkeeper award, which he won in 2022 after winning the FIFA World Cup, following another impressive season for Aston Villa.

The shot stopper also got his place in the team of the year, alongside fellow English top-flight stars William Saliba of Arsenal and Man City trio Ruben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland.

Real Madrid stars Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Bellingham, Toni Kroos and Vinicius all made the team, alongside Barcelona’s 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal.

Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho was also among the winners on Tuesday, as he picked up the Puskas Award for his stunning overhead kick against Everton last season.

The Red Devils winger produced the acrobatic finish in a 3-0 triumph over Everton at Goodison Park in November 2023.

The forward – who was left out of his side’s 2-1 win against Manchester City last Sunday by manager Ruben Amorim – is only the second United player to have won the award while at the club.

He follows in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo, who picked up the prize in 2009 for a long-range effort against Porto.

● Bonmati wins again, Hayes named Best Coach

Aitana Bonmati once again reigns supreme in women’s football as the 26-year-old collected her second successive The Best FIFA Women’s Player award.

The Barcelona superstar, who also won her second Ballon d’Or in a row in October, helped her club to a fifth successive Liga F title.

She also won the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Barcelona as well as the Copa de la Reina and Spanish Super Cup, while becoming a UEFA Nations League champion with Spain in a prolific year.

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach award went to former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes, who is now in charge of the United States national team.

She led Chelsea to a fifth Women’s Super League title in succession, before winning gold at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with Team USA.

Elsewhere, Brazil’s Marta won The Best FIFA ‘Marta’ award – named after herself – for the best women’s goal of the year, while Chicago Red Stars’ Alyssa Naeher won The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper award. [EuroSport]