Vinicius Junior wins FIFA Best award after Real Madrid star's Ballon d'Or fury
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Vinicius Junior has been crowned the winner of the men's FIFA Best award following his stellar 2024 with Real Madrid. Vinicius Jr, 24, missed out on this year's Ballon d'Or to Manchester City midfielder Rodri, a controversial decision which sparked anger in Madrid. But the Brazilian has been rewarded in the latest vote, being awarded the trophy during the ceremony in Qatar.
Already in the capital of Doha ahead of Real's Intercontinental World Cup final against Pachuca, Vinicius was present to lift the trophy. The 24-year-old and his Real team-mates had boycotted October's Ballon d'Or ceremony, furious with the decision to give Rodri the coveted accolade.
Vinicius Jr remarked on stage: "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. I want to thank the people who voted for me, the players, the coaches, the fans. This is very important to me.".
YOU DECIDE! Cast your vote for Fans' Footballer of the Year 2024. Rodri finished in second place, five points behind Vinicius Jr, with England star Jude Bellingham finishing third. Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati was named named the Best women's player for a second consecutive year.
Vinicius Jr's manager, Carlo Ancelotti, won the men's coach award. There were also awards for Premier League players Emiliano Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho. Aston Villa's Martinez won the men's goalkeeper award, with Garnacho claiming the Puskas Award for his spectacular goal in Manchester United's victory over Everton in November 2023.
