Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior has been crowned FIFA Best Men’s Player of the Year.
During an incredible 2023-24 season, Vini Jr helped Madrid win the Champions League, LaLiga, as well as the Spanish and European Super Cups under Carlo Ancelotti.
He contributed 24 goals and 11 assists, with standout performances including his goal in the Champions League final and a stunning hat-trick against Barcelona in the domestic Super Cup.
This recognition follows his and his teammates’ decision to skip the Ballon d’Or ceremony in October, knowing Manchester City’s Rodri would claim the award.
“It felt impossible to reach this stage… I came from a humble place surrounded by poverty and crime, and now I’m here,” said the Brazilian star.
Rodri finished second in the voting, with Jude Bellingham securing third place.
Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr has taken the FIFA Best men’s player of the year award
FIFA president Gianni Infantino (right) presented the star with his first award in the category
The Brazilian was instrumental in Real Madrid’s successes at home and on the continent
The FIFA Best Men’s Player award honors Vinicius Jr for his achievements between August 21, 2023, and August 10, 2024.
The shortlist initially featured 11 nominees, including Jude Bellingham as the sole English representative, before being voted on by national team coaches, captains, football journalists, and fans.
This marks Vini Jr’s first win, succeeding Lionel Messi, who claimed the previous two editions but was not nominated this year. The award has been in its current format since 2016, evolving from the earlier FIFA World Player of the Year, and its timeline often differs from that of the Ballon d’Or.
In other categories, Carlo Ancelotti won Coach of the Year, Emiliano Martínez was named Best Goalkeeper, and Alejandro Garnacho received the Puskás Award for his incredible overhead kick against Everton. “It was a great goal, but there’s much more to come. Thank you for the support,” said the Manchester United winger.
The Team of the Year included five Premier League stars: Martínez, Rúben Dias, William Saliba, Rodri, and Erling Haaland.
Vini Jr’s recognition follows controversy around the Ballon d’Or, where Real Madrid, reportedly with over 50 members, boycotted the ceremony after learning their star finished second.
Real Madrid’s delegation had declined to attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony, where Rodri won the prize for the first time, after the result was leaked in advance of the gala in Paris
Alejandro Garnacho took home the Puskas Award for his overhead kick against Everton
When it was leaked that Rodri was in fact the winner, Real reacted furiously and not a single club representative was there to watch their team win several honours at the event and their players place highly in the main list – with Vini second, Bellingham third, and Dani Carvajal fourth.
‘I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready,’ Vinicius Jr later posted.
He had been a hot favourite to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or after his epic contribution leading Madrid’s frontline to the LaLiga-UEFA Champions League double. The Brazilian, 24, hit six goals and four assists in ten Champions League appearances and tallied 20 goal involvements in 26 La Liga matches.
‘If the criteria of the award do not proclaim Vinicius the winner, those same criteria must proclaim Carvajal the winner,’ the club stated.
‘Since this has not been the case, it is obvious that the Ballon d’Or and UEFA do not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid is not where it is not respected.’
Sources at the club told ESPN Brazil that the snub was ‘historic robbery’.
Marca also reported that Madrid insiders have furiously declared ‘the Ballon d’Or no longer exists for us’.