Vinicius Jr Crowned FIFA Men’s Player of the Year 2024, Bonmati Wins Women’s Award
DOHA: Brazilian and Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr was named the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year for 2024 at a prestigious ceremony in Doha on Tuesday. The 24-year-old forward claimed the honor after an exceptional season where he played a pivotal role in helping Real Madrid achieve a LaLiga and Champions League double.
Vinicius, who scored 24 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions, was particularly instrumental in the Champions League final, where he found the net in Real Madrid’s victory over Borussia Dortmund.
The award sees Vinicius triumph over two other top nominees — Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri and his Real Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham of England.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Glory
Reflecting on his journey, Vinicius delivered an emotional acceptance speech:
“It seemed impossible when I played barefoot in the streets of São Gonçalo, and now I’m here,” he said, recalling his humble beginnings in Brazil.
Vinicius’ crowning moment comes after narrowly missing out on the Ballon d’Or in October, where Rodri was the frontrunner. The award ceremony coincided with Real Madrid’s presence in Qatar as they prepare for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final against Mexico’s Pachuca on Wednesday.
Aitana Bonmati Wins FIFA Women’s Player of the Year
In the women’s category, Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati retained the FIFA Women’s Player of the Year title, cementing her position as one of the best in the world. This marks her second consecutive FIFA award, adding to her Ballon d’Or triumph in October.
The 26-year-old enjoyed a stellar season, leading Barcelona to a domestic treble and a successful defense of their Women’s Champions League title. Bonmati also delivered standout performances for Spain, scoring crucial goals in the Nations League semi-final and final, which Spain won in February.
Bonmati beat out Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Norway’s Caroline Graham Hansen to claim the top honor.
Key Highlights
- Men’s Award: Vinicius Jr (Brazil, Real Madrid)
- Women’s Award: Aitana Bonmati (Spain, Barcelona)
- Vinicius scored 24 goals to secure Real Madrid’s LaLiga and Champions League triumph.
- Bonmati led Barcelona to a treble and starred in Spain’s Nations League success.
The event celebrated the achievements of two of the sport’s most influential stars, showcasing their brilliance on the world stage. As Vinicius continues to shine for club and country, and Bonmati solidifies her dominance in women’s football, both players look poised for more accolades in the years to come.
