December 18 – Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior finally gets his hands on a major global player of the year award.
Vinicius was named men’s player of the year at FIFA’s ‘The Best’ awards on Tuesday, while Spain and Barcelona playmaker Aitana Banmati dominated the women’s game awards.
Vinicius was so devastated to lose out to Manchester City midfielder Rodri for the Ballon d’Or in October that he and his Madrid team shut down the ceremony in Paris in protest. But he was in Doha to collect the FIFA edition.
Vinicius replaced Lionel Messi as FIFA Men’s Player of the Year and scored 24 goals in all competitions as he led Real to a La Liga and Champions League double last season.
Having already won his third La Liga title in May, Vinicius claimed the second Champions League trophy of his career as Real beat Borussia Dortmund 2–0 on 1 June.
Bonmati won FIFA’s version of the older and more prestigious Ballon d’Or award for the second year running, adding to the two Ballon d’Or trophies he already boasts.
“I am grateful, I am proud to receive this award,” Banmati said via video link from Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium.
Last term, Banmati led Barcelona to a historic continental quadruple title and claimed the Nations League with his national team.
She won every trophy available to her in club football in 2023/24 – the Spanish league, Copa de la Reina, Supercopa de España and a second consecutive Women’s Champions League.
Manchester United’s Argentine forward Alejandro Garnacho won the Puskas Award for Goal of the Year for his spectacular bicycle kick against Everton in the Premier League.
Prize winners
Female Player of the Year – Aitana Banmati
Male Player – Vinicius Jr
Women’s Goalkeeper – Alyssa Naher
Men’s Goalkeeper – Emiliano Martinez
Women’s Coach – Emma Hayes
Men’s Coach – Carlo Ancelotti
Marta Award – Marta
Puskas Award – Alejandro Garnacho
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