Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid won on Tuesday the FIFA Best Men’s Player award for 2024 at the FIFA Best Awards ceremony held in Doha, Qatar.
The FIFA Best Awards celebrate the world’s top football talents, from players to trainers and goalkeepers, and are voted for by national team coaches, captains, journalists, and fans.
“Vini” made history as the first Brazilian to win the award since its inception in 2016, according to FIFA.
He finished at the top of the poll with 48 points, followed by Rodri of Manchester City with 43 points and Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid with 37 points, completing the podium, FIFA stated on its website.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti, winner of the Champions League, La Liga, and the Spanish Super Cup with Real Madrid, received the FIFA Men’s Football Coach of the Year award. Xabi Alonso finished second with 22 points, and Luis de la Fuente, third with 11 points.
Argentina’s national team goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez from Aston Villa was crowned Best Goalkeeper, the first player to win the award twice. With 16 points, Ederson came after, followed by Unai Simón in third with 13 points.
For women, Aitana Bonmatí was named The Best FIFA Women’s Player for 2024, successfully defending her 2023 title. The Spanish international dominated all four voting categories, collecting more than twice the fan votes of her podium rivals. She was followed by Zambia’s Barbra Banda in second with 39 points, and Norway’s Caroline Graham Hansen in third with 37 points.
Alyssa Naeher, the USA goalkeeper, was awarded The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper award with 26 points. Cata Coll of Spain secured second place with 22 points, while England’s Mary Earps rounded out the top three with 11 points.
The coach of the USA women’s team, Emma Hayes clinched the Best FIFA Women’s Coach award with 23 points, followed by Jonatan Giraldez with 20 points and Arthur Elias with 13 points.