Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior finally got his hands on FIFA's top player prize.
Vinícius was named the men’s player of the year at the FIFA’s “The Best” awards, where Barcelona playmaker Aitana Bonmati continued to clean up in the prizes for women’s soccer.
The 24-year-old Vinícius was so disappointed to lose out to Manchester City midfielder Rodri for the Ballon d’Or in October that he and his Madrid team snubbed the ceremony in Paris in protest.
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This time Rodri ended up second to Vinícius by five points.
The Brazil forward was at the FIFA ceremony to collect his award having travelled to Doha on Tuesday (AEDT) with Madrid for the Intercontinental Cup final against Pachuca.
“I don’t even know where to begin," Vinícius said in Portuguese.
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid.
Vinicius Junior wins FIFA's The Best player of the year award. FIFA via Getty Images
"All this was so far away that it seemed impossible to get here.
“I was a child who just played football barefoot on the streets of São Gonçalo, close to poverty and crime. Being here is very important to me because I am making many children see that it is not impossible to get here."
Bonmati won the award for best women’s player of the year making it back-to-back prizes at FIFA's version of the older and more prestigious Ballon d’Or prize.
The 26-year-old Spain midfielder has won the Ballon d’Or for two straight years, and won the Spanish league, Spanish cup and Champions League with Barcelona in 2024.
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FIFA said the award winners were decided by an “equally weighted voting system" by fans, the current captains and coaches of all national teams, and media representatives.
In comparison, the Ballon d'Or system is based on a voting system which includes a select number of journalists from around the world.
There was an 11-player shortlist for both awards, with the contenders selected based on their performances from August 21, 2023, to August 10, 2024.
Aitana Bonmati of FC Barcelona poses with her The Best FIFA Women's Player Award trophy.
Aitana Bonmati poses with her The Best FIFA Women's Player Award trophy. FIFA via Getty Images
Vinícius had the best season of his career, scoring 24 goals in 39 appearances for Madrid and helping the Spanish team to a record-extending 15th European Cup — and his second Champions League trophy.
He also netted in the final, becoming the youngest player to score in two Champions League finals.
Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham was third, ahead of Dani Carvajal and Lamine Yamal, with Lionel Messi - who had won the award the previous two years - sixth.
Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was named best men’s coach, and United States coach Emma Hayes took the women’s prize.
Hayes steered the USWNT to Olympic gold in Paris in August. Their shotstopper, Alyssa Naeher, was given the women’s goalkeeper award. Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez won the men’s prize for the second straight year.
Alejandro Garnacho won the FIFA Puskás Award for the best goal, for his sensational overhead strike for Manchester United against Everton in November 2023.
Marta won the award that is named after her — the inaugural FIFA Marta Award — for her goal for Brazil against Jamaica in June.