By LUKE POWER
Published: 13:21 EST, 17 December 2024 | Updated: 13:28 EST, 17 December 2024
Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior has won the FIFA Best men's player of the year award.
In an outstanding year, Vini Jr has won the Champions League and LaLiga under Carlo Ancelotti at Madrid.
He has scored 30 goals across 2024 and provided 16 assists for his team-mates.
It comes after he and his fellow Los Blancos stars decided to snubthe Ballon d'or ceremony in October, having learned in advance that Manchester City's Rodri would take home the prize.
'It was looking impossible for me to arrive here on this stage… I arrived from a small place, close to poverty and crime. Now I’m here,' said the Brazilian star.
The FIFA Best prizes reward stars for their achievements over the calendar year, as opposed to the Ballon d'Or being handed out by season.
It has been running in its current form since 2016, though it was previously known as the FIFA World Player of the Year. It is not always the case that a player will win both due to the different timespans they cover.
More to follow.
Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr has taken the FIFA Best men's player of the year award
Real MadridVinicius Junior