AFP, DOHA
Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior on Tuesday won The Best FIFA Men’s Player award at a ceremony in Doha, while Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati picked up the women’s prize for the second time.
The award came two months after 24-year-old Vinicius was second in the Ballon d’Or, with Real Madrid electing to snub the ceremony when they found out beforehand that Manchester City midfielder Rodri was set to win the trophy.
This time, the Brazilian was on hand to collect the prize in person as he is in Qatar with his club ahead of their Intercontinental Cup final clash with Mexico’s Pachuca.
Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior poses with The Best FIFA Men’s Player trophy during the Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony in Doha on Tuesday.
Photo: AFP
“Thank you very much. I don’t know where to start. It was impossible to think of getting here. I grew up in a world of poverty, of organized crime. It’s for all the children who grow up in that world. I thank everyone who voted for me,” Vinicius said on stage.
Vinicius succeeds Lionel Messi as The FIFA Best Men’s Player after the Argentine scooped up the last two editions of the award.
The live-wire forward scored 24 goals and laid on 11 assists in 39 matches across all competitions as he led Madrid to a La Liga and Champions League double last season.
Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati holds up her medal as she walks past the trophy after winning the UEFA Women’s Champions League final against Olympique Lyonnais in Bilbao, Spain, on May 25.
Photo: AP
The 26-year-old Bonmati of Spain picked up The Best Women’s Player award for the second year running, adding to the two Ballon d’Or trophies she already boasts.
“I’m grateful, I’m proud to receive this award,” Bonmati said by video link from Barcelona’s Olympic stadium.
Last term, Bonmati led Barcelona to a historic continental quadruple of titles and claimed the Nations League with her national team.
She won every trophy available to her in club soccer in 2023-2024 — the Spanish league, the Copa de la Reina, the Supercopa de Espana and a second successive Women’s Champions League.
Manchester United’s Argentine forward Alejandro Garnacho won the Puskas Award for the best goal of the year for his spectacular bicycle-kick against Everton in the Premier League.
