Vinicius Junior wins FIFA Best award
Vinicius Junior has won The Best FIFA Men's Player award for 2024, having missed out on the Ballon d'Or in October.
After helping Real Madrid win LaLiga and the Champions League in 2023-2024, the Brazilian was recognised at FIFA's annual awards ceremony in Doha, seeing off competition from Blancos team-mate Jude Bellingham, Manchester City midfielder Rodri, Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal and other nominees.
Rodri narrowly beat Vinicius to the Ballon d'Or almost two months ago, with Madrid describing that decision as "disrespectful" and boycotting the Paris ceremony.
After being overlooked for that prize, Vinicius wrote on X: "I'll do it 10 times if I have to. They're not ready."
In winning FIFA's most prestigious individual award, Vinicius followed in the footsteps of Lionel Messi, who won the prize in 2023, 2022 and 2019, two-time recipients Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski, and 2018 victor Luka Modric.
He scored 24 goals and provided nine assists across all competitions last season, including netting Madrid's second goal in their 2-0 Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund.
Fifteen of his goals and five of his assists came in 26 appearances in LaLiga, also creating 31 chances – a tally only bettered by Bellingham (48) and Rodrygo (45) among Madrid players.
Meanwhile, only Savinho (216) and Nico Williams (191) attempted more dribbles than Vinicius' 177 in the Spanish top flight, with the Brazilian completing 36.7 percent of those.
The award, based on a voting period running from August 21, 2023 to August 10, 2024, was decided based on public votes, as well as votes cast by journalists and national team coaches.
Vinicius was also one of five Madrid players, including the now-retired Toni Kroos, to make FIFA's Best Men's XI, alongside Antonio Rudiger, Dani Carvajal and Bellingham.
Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez – who scooped the FIFA Best Goalkeeper award – was also included, alongside Ruben Dias, William Saliba, Rodri, Yamal and Erling Haaland.
Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti won the Best Men's Coach award, while Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho won the Puskas award with his stunning overhead kick against Everton last November.
Real Madrid's squad was already in Qatar ahead of the ceremony, as they gear up for its Intercontinental Cup final against Pachuca.
