Dec 18,2024
Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior scooped the top male accolade at the FIFA Best Awards two months after his club failed to turn up at the Ballon d'Or award ceremony when he missed out on the main prize.
The Brazil star, who helped Real win La Liga and the Champions League in 2023-24, scored 24 goals in all competitions with 11 assists and succeeds Leo Messi who has won the award for the past two years.
Vinicius finished ahead of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, with Real team-mate Jude Bellingham third and Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe among those completing the top five.
Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati was named best women's player for a second successive year.
Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti took the men’s coach award, while the women’s award to United States manager Emma Hayes.
The 48-year-old Hayes guided Chelsea to a fifth successive Women’s Super League title last season before leaving to take over the United States and leading them to Olympic gold in Paris.
It completes a year to remember for Hayes after she was also awarded the Ballon d’Or for women’s coach of the year in October.
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho won the Puskas Award for his sensational overhead kick against Everton in November 2023.
Marta won the equivalent award for the best goal in women’s football, named after the Brazil forward herself.
Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez took the prize for goalkeeper of the year after he helped Argentina win the Copa America. He included in the men’s team of the year alongside Ruben Dias (Manchester City), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Jude Bellingham, Kroos (all Real Madrid), Rodri, Erling Haaland (both Man City), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) and Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid).
Best FIFA men’s player: Vinicius Junior (Brazil/Real Madrid)
Best FIFA men’s coach: Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)
Best FIFA men’s goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez (Argentina/Aston Villa)
Best FIFA women’s player: Aitana Bonmati (Spain/Barcelona)
Best FIFA Marta Award 2024: Marta (Brazil)
Best FIFA Puskas Award: Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United)
