Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Jr has been crowned the Men’s Player of the Year at the FIFA Best Awards.
The 24-year-old received the prestigious honor during the ceremony held in Doha, marking a triumphant comeback after he and his club boycotted the recent Ballon d’Or event, where Manchester City’s Rodri claimed the top spot.
Vinicius played a crucial role in Real Madrid’s 2023-24 season, which saw them secure both the Champions League and La Liga titles.
The Brazilian star contributed 24 goals and 11 assists across all competitions, underlining his importance to the team’s success.
Earlier in the evening, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the Women’s Player of the Year award for the second consecutive year, reaffirming her dominance in women’s football.
For Vinicius, this victory marks his first FIFA Best accolade, following in the footsteps of Lionel Messi, who won the award in the previous two years, and Robert Lewandowski, who claimed it twice before that.
The FIFA Best Awards recognize performances between August 2023 and August 2024. Winners are determined through a combined voting system: public votes, journalists’ selections, and votes from national team captains and coaches, with each group holding a 25% share of the final decision.
Real Madrid’s presence in Qatar was further amplified as they prepare for Wednesday’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup final against Mexican club Pachuca at Lusail Stadium.
