DOHA: Brazil’s Vinicius Jr was named the men’s player of the year 2024 at the FIFA Best Awards, held here on Tuesday.
Real Madrid’s winger, who boycotted this year’s Ballon d'Or ceremony after losing the prestigious award to Manchester City’s Rodri, picked up this prize, thanks to his stellar performances for the Los Blancos.
The 24-year-old played a pivotal role in Real’s winning campaigns at the UEFA Champions League and La Liga, scoring 24 goals and providing 11 assists.
With his maiden FIFA award, Vinicius Jr succeeds star Argentine footballer Lionel Messi, who claimed the accolade in the last two editions.
Vinicius beat out stiff competition from current Ballon d’Or winner Rodri and Real teammate Jude Bellingham, who remained second and third, respectively.
The football award, covering the period from August 2023 to August 2024, was determined through a combination of public votes, one journalist from each country, and the captain and manager of each national team. Each group's vote accounted for 25%.
The FIFA Best Awards also selected men's team of the year, featuring five players each from Real Madrid and Manchester City, while Barcelona contributed one.
The players selected in the men’s team were Ruben Dias (Manchester City), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Jude Bellingham, Kroos (all Real Madrid), Rodri, Erling Haaland (both Man City), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) and Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid) and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, who was also named the men’s goalkeeper of the year.
Meanwhile, the Puskas award for the best men’s goal of the year was awarded to Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho for his sensational bicycle kick in his club’s 3-0 victory over Everton in November 2023.
"I'm very proud to win this award," said Garnacho in a pre-recorded interview.
"It's a proud moment for me and my family. It was a special goal and I will always remember it."
Spain’s Bonmati headlines women’s awards
Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati was named the women’s player of the year for the second time in a row.
Bonmati played a pivotal role in Spain’s FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 triumph and also won the Golden Ball award for being the best player in the global event.
"I am grateful and proud to win this award," said Bonmati.
"I'm very grateful for this award, but I always say that this is a team effort, with a Barca that won everything and the national team," she added.
This year’s FIFA Best Awards marks This year, the women's game introduced its own version of the Puskas Award for the best goal of the year, called the Marta Award, in honour of the Brazil legend, who herself won the inaugural edition for her goal against Jamaica in June.
The women’s team of the year was majorly dominated by Barcelona, featuring six players from the club.
The team features Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Irene Paredes (Barcelona), Naomi Girma (San Diego), Ona Batlle (Barcelona), Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona), Lindsey Horan (Lyon), Gabi Portilho (Corinthians), Patri Guijarro (Barcelona), Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona), Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona) and Chicago’s Alyssa Naeher, who was also named the women’s goalkeeper of the year.
Faizan Lakhani Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.
