Doha played host to football’s brightest stars at the FIFA Best Awards 2024, where Brazilian winger and Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior was named Men’s Player of the Year, while Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí clinched the title of Best Women’s Player.
The awards, determined through a balanced voting process involving team captains, coaches, journalists, and fans (each contributing 25% of the total vote), highlighted the extraordinary achievements in football over the past year.
Vinicius Junior’s Remarkable Journey
Accepting his first FIFA Best award, Vinicius reflected on his rise to stardom:
“It seemed impossible when I played barefoot in the streets of São Gonçalo, and now I’m here.”
Vinicius follows in the footsteps of Lionel Messi, who won in 2022 and 2023, and Robert Lewandowski, the winner in 2020 and 2021.
Bonmatí’s Continued Dominance
Aitana Bonmatí, who has been pivotal in Spain’s football successes, was celebrated for her outstanding contributions to the game, further cementing her legacy in women’s football.
Garnacho’s Spectacular Puskás Award
The Puskás Award for the best goal went to Alejandro Garnacho of Argentina for his breathtaking strike against Everton in November 2023 while playing for Manchester United.
Marta Best Goal Scorer Award Introduced
In a fitting tribute, FIFA introduced the Marta Best Goal Scorer Award, named after the legendary Brazilian footballer. Marta herself became the inaugural recipient, honored for her memorable goal against Jamaica.
Other Notable Winners
- Fair Play Award: Brazil’s Thiago Maia for his exemplary sportsmanship.
- Best Goalkeeper (Men): Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez, recognized for his standout performances.
- Best Goalkeeper (Women): United States’ Alyssa Naeher, celebrated for her exceptional contributions.
The night underscored the global unity and passion for football, as the sport’s most talented players were honored for their incredible achievements.
