The FIFA Best Player Award recognizes outstanding individual achievements in football. Rewards players for their achievements, skills and contributions to their teams during the calendar year. The award, voted for by coaches, players, journalists and fans, recognized icons such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, highlighting their incredible achievements.
Vinícius Júnior and Aitana Bonmati win the FIFA Player of the Year award
Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior finally got his hands on the first world player award on Tuesday.
Vinícius was named men’s player of the year in FIFA’s ‘The Best’ awards, while Barcelona attacking midfielder Aitana Bonmati continued to clean up the women’s football awards.
Vinícius, 24, was so disappointed at losing the Ballon d’Or to Manchester City midfielder Rodri in October that he and his Madrid team snubbed the ceremony in Paris in protest.
This time Rodri finished second behind Vinícius with a five point lead. The Brazilian striker was present at the FIFA ceremony to receive the award after traveling to Doha with Real Madrid on Monday for the Intercontinental Cup final against Pachuca.
“I don’t even know where to start,” Vinícius said in Portuguese. “It was so far away that it seemed impossible to get here. I was a child and played football barefoot on the streets of São Gonçalo, close to poverty and crime.
“Getting here is a very important thing for me. I do it for many kids who think that everything is impossible and that they won’t be able to get this far.
Vinícius echoed these sentiments in an Instagram post, in which he launched a thinly disguised poll among Ballon d’Or voters, journalists from the top 100 FIFA ranking countries.
“Today I am writing to this boy who has seen so many idols lift this trophy… your time has come,” he wrote. “Or rather, my time has come. It’s time to say… yes, I am the best player in the world and I fought hard for it.
“They tried and still try to invalidate me, to belittle me. But they are not prepared. Nobody will tell me who I should fight for, how I should behave.
Vinícius was a victim of racist abuse in Spain and, at one point earlier this year, said he was “losing the will to play”, but added “I will continue to fight”.
Bonmati won the award for best female player of the year, making it a consecutive award in FIFA’s version of the older and more prestigious Ballon d’Or.
The 26-year-old Spanish midfielder won the Ballon d’Or two years in a row and won the Spanish League, the Spanish Cup and the Champions League with Barcelona in 2024.
“I am grateful to receive this award. As I always say, it’s a team effort,” Bonmati said. “It was a fantastic year, very difficult to repeat. I am grateful to the people who help me improve every day, from the club to my teammates, who always help me improve.
FIFA said the winners were decided by an “equally weighted voting system” between fans, current captains and coaches of all national teams and media representatives.
There was a shortlist of 11 players for both awards, with contenders selected based on their performances from 21 August 2023 to 10 August 2024.
Vinícius enjoyed the best season of his career, scoring 24 goals in 39 games for Real Madrid and helping the Spanish team win a record-breaking 15th European Cup and second Champions League trophy.
He also scored in the final, becoming the youngest player to score in two Champions League finals.
His Real Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham came third, ahead of Dani Carvajal and Lamine Yamal, and Lionel Messi – who had won the award the previous two years – sixth.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was named best men’s coach while U.S. coach Emma Hayes won the women’s award.
Hayes led the USWNT to Olympic gold in Paris in August. Their goalkeeper, Alyssa Naeher, received the women’s goalie award. Aston Villa and Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez won the men’s award for the second year in a row.
Alejandro Garnacho won the FIFA Puskás Award for best goal, for his sensational overhead kick goal for Manchester United against Everton in November 2023.
Marta won the award that bears her name – the first FIFA Marta Award – for her goal for Brazil against Jamaica in June.
