Vinicius Jr named FIFA Best men’s player of the year

Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Jr has been named the men’s player of the year at the Fifa Best Awards.

The 24-year-old and his club boycotted the recent Ballon d’Or ceremony after missing out to Manchester City’s Rodri – but he picked up this prize in Doha.

Vinicius played a key role in Real’s Champions League and La Liga-winning campaign in 2023-24, scoring 24 goals and providing 11 assists.

Earlier in the ceremony, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati was named the women’s player of the year for the second year in a row.

This was the first time Vinicius has won the award and capped a happier finish to the season than October’s Ballon d’Or boycott.

The Ballon d’Or and Fifa Best Awards are the two most prestigious in football.

This was Vinicius’ first Fifa prize, with Lionel Messi winning the previous two awards and Robert Lewandowski the two before that.

The award – for football from August 2023 to August 2024 – was decided by a mix of public vote, one journalist from each country and the captain and manager of each national team. Each group’s vote counted for 25%.

Real Madrid were already in Qatar for Wednesday’s Fifa Intercontinental Cup final against Pachuca at Lusail Stadium.

Vinicius said, “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”.

Vini thanks all people at Real Madrid, his family, friends, his staff, Flamengo, his country and teammates.

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Bonmati named FIFA Best women’s player of the year