Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati were crowned FIFA Best Players of the Year at a ceremony in Doha on Tuesday. Vinicius won the prestigious men’s award, while Bonmati claimed the women’s title for the second consecutive year.
Vinicius, 24, received the award just two months after finishing second in the Ballon d’Or rankings, behind Manchester City’s Rodri. Speaking at the ceremony, the Brazilian star reflected on his remarkable journey to the top.
“Thank you very much. I don’t know where to start. It was impossible to think of getting here,” Vinicius said emotionally. “I grew up in a world of poverty, of organized crime. This is for all the children who grow up in that world.”
He expressed gratitude to his family, teammates, and coaches, especially Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti. “To Carletto, who always helps me, to my teammates, to Flamengo (my first club), and to my country, which always supports me in my work. I hope to be at Madrid for many years because it is the best club in the world.”
Vinicius succeeded Lionel Messi as the FIFA Best men’s player, marking a significant milestone in his career. He had an outstanding season, scoring 24 goals and providing 11 assists in 39 matches across all competitions.
A Season of Success
Vinicius played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s triumphs last season, leading the team to a La Liga and Champions League double. In the Champions League final on June 1, he sealed the victory with a precise finish in the final 10 minutes against Borussia Dortmund.
The forward also showcased his brilliance in other competitions, scoring a hat-trick in the Supercopa final against Barcelona and a crucial brace in Madrid’s Champions League semi-final victory over Bayern Munich.
While he shone in club football, Vinicius faced challenges during the Copa America with the Brazilian national team. Despite scoring twice in the group stage, Brazil was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Uruguay.
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Aitana Bonmati: A Champion’s Consistency
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmati, 26, continued to dominate the football world, securing the FIFA Best Women’s Player award for the second year in a row. Accepting the honor via video link from Barcelona, Bonmati expressed her gratitude.
“I’m grateful, I’m proud to receive this award,” she said, speaking from Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium.
Bonmati’s 2023/24 season was nothing short of extraordinary. She led Barcelona to a historic quadruple, winning the Spanish league, Copa de la Reina, Supercopa de Espana, and the Women’s Champions League. Her performances were instrumental, including a goal and a player-of-the-match display in the Champions League final, where Barcelona defeated Lyon 2-0.
Bonmati also shone on the international stage, guiding Spain to victory in the Nations League. Her leadership and consistent performances solidified her reputation as one of the greatest players in women’s football.
Celebrating Excellence
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With their accolades, both players have further cemented their legacies as icons in the beautiful game.