After the disappointment of losing out in the Ballon d’Or voting, Real Madrid’s Brazilian striker Vinicius Jr. was named The Best FIFA Men’s Player at the awards ceremony held in Doha, Qatar.
Vinicius becomes the fifth player to receive the award, which was first presented in 2016, after being won by Lionel Messi on three occasions (2019, 2022 and 2023), as well as by Cristiano Ronaldo twice (2016 and 2017), as well as Polish striker Robert Lewandowski (2021 and 2022) and Croatian midfielder Luka Modric (2018).
The voting system is divided equally between four sectors: media representatives, national team coaches, captains of all national teams within FIFA and the general public.
“A clear and transparent procedure,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino during his presentation of the trophy.
Vinicius Jr.’s emotional words
When receiving the award, the Brazilian said some emotional words of thanks, in which he remembered where he comes from and where he is now.
“It was impossible to think of getting here. I grew up in a world of poverty, of organized crime; this is for all the children who grow up in that world,” said Vini. “I thank everyone who voted for me. My family, the club, my teammates, Carletto (Ancelotti), who always helps me. To everyone who helped me to fulfill my dream.”
“I hope to be at Madrid for many years, because it is the best club in the world. To Flamengo, to my national team-mates. And to my country, which always supports me in my fight,” added the Real Madrid player.
Ancelotti, the best coach
Real Madrid were the biggest winners on the night, as coach Carlo Ancelotti took home the Coach of the Year award, after leading Los Blancos to another Champions League title, as well as the LaLiga and Supercopa de Espana titles.
“I want to share this with the club, with my president and with my players, those of the best club in the world,” Ancelotti said on stage as he received his award.
“They don’t always listen to me, that’s a myth, but thank you very much,” the coach joked. “I started playing football 48 years ago and it has given me a lot. Many positive emotions, some negative, but thanks to this sport I am still alive.”
As if that wasn’t enough, five Real Madrid players made the FIFA FIFPro Men’s World 11.
The defenders Dani Carvajal and Rudiger, the midfielders Bellingham and the already retired German Toni Kroos, as well as Vini, and of course as coach Ancelotti.
Alongside them in the gala team were Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, Ruben Dias (Manchester City/Portugal), Saliba (Arsenal/France), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain) and Erling Haaland (Manchester City/Norway).
Another award for Aitana Bonmati
In the women’s category, Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati was named the Best Women’s Player of the Year, to achieve the double after having won the Ballon d’Or.
It is Aitana’s second The Best award after winning it in 2023, and the fourth consecutive one for Spanish footballers after Alexia Putellas’ double in 2021 and 2022.