Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. claims prestigious FIFA award months after being snubbed for the Ballon d’Or and opting for a boycott

across 39 matches, leading Real Madrid to both La Liga and Champions League titles. He played a key role in the Champions League, finishing as the team’s top scorer with six goals, including a vital strike in the final against Liverpool. He also scored a hat-trick in Real Madrid’s Supercopa win over Barcelona in January.

While Vinicius enjoyed a stellar club season, his Copa America campaign with Brazil was less successful, as they were eliminated by Uruguay in the quarter-finals after he scored two goals in the group stage.

Aitana Bonmati, 26, was honored as the FIFA Best Women’s Player for the second year in a row. From a video link at Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium, Bonmati expressed her pride and gratitude. She had a remarkable 2023/24 season, leading Barcelona to an unprecedented continental quadruple, winning the Spanish league, Copa de la Reina, Supercopa de Espana, and a second consecutive Women’s Champions League. She also helped Spain win the Nations League, capping off her exceptional year with a goal and player-of-the-match honors inBarcelona’s 2-0 Champions League final victory over Lyon.

Finally, Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho won the Puskas Award for the best goal of the year, for his stunning bicycle kick against Everton in the Premier League.