Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Junior has been named Men’s Player of the Year at the FIFA Best Awards.
The 24-year-old and his club boycotted the recent Ballon d’Or ceremony after Manchester City missed out on Rodry – but he lifted the prize in Doha.
Vinicius played a key role in Real’s Champions League and La Liga winning campaign in 2023–24, scoring 24 goals and providing 11 assists.
Barcelona midfielder Etana Bonamati was nominated earlier in the ceremony. Women’s Player of the Year for the second year in a row.
It was the first time that Vinicius had won the award and a happier finish than he had this season. Boycott of October’s Ballon d’Or.
“It seemed impossible when I played barefoot in the streets of Sao Goncalo and now I’m here,” Venicius said.
The Ballon d’Or and the FIFA Best Awards are two of football’s most prestigious awards.
It was Vinicius’ first FIFA award, with Lionel Messi winning the previous two and Robert Lewandowski winning the previous two.
The award – for football from August 2023 to August 2024 – was decided by a combination of public vote, one journalist from each country and the captain and manager of each national team. Each group’s votes counted for 25%.
Real Madrid were already in Qatar for Wednesday’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup final against Mexico’s Pachuca at the Lucille Stadium.
Spain’s Euro 2024-winning midfielder Rodri finished second to Vinicius for the award, while Real Madrid’s England player Jude Bellingham was third.
FIFA has released details of who each coach and captain voted for.
England captain Harry Kane chose Rhodri, with international team-mates Bellingham second and Vencius third.
Lee Carsley, who was interim Three Lions boss at the time of the vote, went for Bellingham, Rodri and Barcelona’s Lamin Yamel in that order.
Both Scotland boss Steve Clarke and Wales manager Craig Bellamy chose Rhodri as their top pick.
Wales captain Aaron Ramsey voted for Vinicius while Northern Ireland captain Paddy McNair voted for Rhodri.
The Brazilian captain and manager voted for Vinicius, but their Spanish counterparts chose Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal.