Real Madrid’s dynamic forward Vinicius Junior clinched the FIFA Best Men’s Player of the Year award at a grand ceremony in Doha on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s star midfielder Aitana Bonmati secured the Women’s Player of the Year award for the second consecutive year.
This recognition comes just two months after the 24-year-old Brazilian finished as the runner-up for the Ballon d’Or, a decision that saw Real Madrid skip the ceremony, knowing Manchester City’s Rodri would win the prestigious title. However, Vinicius was present in Qatar to personally accept his award, as Real Madrid prepares for their Intercontinental Cup final against Mexico’s Pachuca on Wednesday.
Vinicius Follows in Messi’s Footsteps
Vinicius succeeds Lionel Messi, who claimed the FIFA Best Men’s Player award in the last two editions. The electric forward showcased his brilliance last season, netting 24 goals and providing 11 assists in 39 appearances across all competitions. His contributions were instrumental in Real Madrid achieving a La Liga and Champions League double.
In May, Vinicius celebrated his third La Liga title, and a month later, he added another Champions League trophy to his collection. Real Madrid triumphed 2-0 over Borussia Dortmund in the final, where Vinicius sealed the victory with a decisive late goal at Wembley.
While Jude Bellingham often stole the spotlight in La Liga, Vinicius was undoubtedly the hero for Madrid on the European stage. He emerged as the top scorer for the Champions League-winning side, tallying six goals, including a brace in the semi-final against Bayern Munich and a clinical finish in the final.
The Brazilian also shone in the Supercopa de España final in January, delivering a hat-trick to secure a 4-1 victory over arch-rivals Barcelona.
Despite these accolades, Vinicius faced challenges, notably during the Copa América, where Brazil’s journey ended in a quarter-final loss to Uruguay. While he managed two goals in the group stage against Paraguay, his team fell short in the decisive stages of the tournament.
Bonmati’s Continued Dominance
Aitana Bonmati, the 26-year-old Spanish sensation, claimed the FIFA Best Women’s Player award for the second year in a row, adding to her impressive collection, which includes two Ballon d’Or trophies.
“I’m grateful and proud to receive this award,” Bonmati said via video link from Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium.
Bonmati’s performances last season were nothing short of extraordinary. She led Barcelona to an unprecedented quadruple, capturing the Spanish league title, the Copa de la Reina, the Supercopa de España, and the Women’s Champions League. Her standout moment came in the Champions League final, where she scored and was named Player of the Match as Barcelona defeated Lyon 2-0 to secure their third title in four seasons.
Additionally, she played a pivotal role for Spain’s national team, helping them win the Nations League and solidifying her status as one of football’s all-time greats.
Garnacho Wins Puskás Award
Manchester United’s young Argentine forward Alejandro Garnacho took home the FIFA Puskás Award for the best goal of the year. His stunning bicycle kick against Everton in the Premier League left fans and critics in awe, earning him this prestigious accolade.
With his stellar performances and global recognition, Vinicius Junior now stands among the elite, proving his mettle after narrowly missing out on the Ballon d’Or. Similarly, Bonmati continues to dominate women’s football, further cementing her legacy in the sports