Real Madrid striker Vinicius and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati were chosen as best players of the year by FIFA on Tuesday at a ceremony held in Doha, Qatar. Bonmati, 26, won the Best trophy for the second time in a row, while Vinicius, 24, gets it for the first time.
The Spaniard signs a new double of individual trophies after having achieved the Golden Ball two months ago, repeating its 2023 came.
Vinicius, second in the Golden Ball after Spaniard Rodri, is crowned The Best after leading Real Madrid in a new Champions League win.
The white giant will play in Doha on Wednesday the final of the Intercontinental Cup against Pachuca.
“Thank you so much, I do not know where to start… It was impossible to think about getting here… I grew up in a world of poverty, of organized crime. I dedicate it to all the children who grow up in that world”, Vini said on stage.
“I thank everybody who supported me in fulfilling my dream. I hope to be in Madrid for many years because it is the best club in the world. The Flamengo. To the teammates on my selection. And my country, which always supports me in my struggle”, he added.
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Rodri and Bellingham on the podium
The Brazilian international reached 48 points in the vote, ahead of Rodri, who won 43, and his Real Madrid team-mate Jude Bellingham, who closed the podium with 37.
The FIFA awards are voted by fans alongside coaches, selectors, captains, and journalists. Vinicius succeeds Argentine legend Lionel Messi, winner of the last two editions and who was in sixth place this time with 25 points, in the palmarés.
The Inter Miami striker handed out his votes between Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius in that order.
The Brazilian scored 24 goals and offered 11 assists in 39 games counting all the competitions last year. In addition to the Champions, his team won the League.
In addition, Real Madrid technician Carlo Ancelotti received the award for the best coach.
In the Emma Hayes women’s category of Chelsea, she was awarded the best coach of 2024.
Bonmati, the key piece of the center of the Barcelona field and the Spanish team, was also proclaimed European champion with his club, in addition to achieving the League of Nations with the Red.
As I always say, this is a team job. It was a good year, very tough to repeat. Thankful to the people who help me to be better every day, from the club to my companions, who always help me to be better,” the player said in statements collected by FIFA.
Garnacho and Marta also awarded
Bonmati scored 52 points, ahead of the Zambian Barbra Banda (39), the Orlando Pride, and the Norwegian Graham Hansen (37), also from Barcelona.
Manchester United’s Argentine attacker Alejandro Garnacho won the Puskas award for best goal for his spectacular Chilean against Everton in the Premier League.
Finally, FIFA created this year the Marta trophy, in honor of the Brazilian legend, to reward the best goal in the women’s category. And Marta herself won it.
