Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior was named the men’s player of the year at the world football governing body FIFA’s The Best awards, where Barcelona playmaker Aitana Bonmati continued to clean up in the prizes for women’s soccer.
Manchester City’s Rodri ended up second to Vinicius by five points. The Brazil forward was at the FIFA ceremony to collect his award, having travelled to Doha on Monday with Madrid for the Intercontinental Cup final against Pachuca.
“I don’t even know where to begin,” Vinicius said in Portuguese. “It was so far away that it seemed impossible to get here. I was a kid who only played football barefoot on the streets of Sao Goncalo, close to poverty and crime.
“Getting here is something very important to me. I’m doing it for many children who think that everything is impossible and who think they can’t get here.”
Vinicius also posted on Instagram, possibly in reference to controversially coming second to Rodri in Ballon d’Or voting in October.
“Today I am writing to that boy who saw so many idols lift this trophy… your time has come,” he wrote. “Or rather, my time has come. The time to say … yes, I am the best player in the world and I fought hard for it.
“They tried and still try to invalidate me, to diminish me. But they are not prepared. No one is going to tell me who I should fight for, how I should behave.”
Vini Jr is #TheBest FIFA Men's Player 2024! 🏆
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 17, 2024
