Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí have been named the best male and female players of the year, respectively, at the 2024 FIFA Football Awards. The star-studded event took place on Tuesday, marking a triumphant evening for the two football icons.
Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior finally clinched his first major international player award, winning FIFA’s Men’s Player of the Year. This victory comes after the disappointment of losing out to Manchester City midfielder Rodri at the Ballon d’Or in October—a loss that led to Vinícius and his Real Madrid teammates skipping the Paris ceremony in protest.
Vinícius, who traveled to Doha with Real Madrid for the Intercontinental Cup final against Pachuca, was present to receive the honor. His exceptional performances throughout the year solidified his place as one of football’s most electrifying talents.
On the women’s side, Barcelona playmaker Aitana Bonmatí continued her reign as the queen of football, winning FIFA’s Women’s Player of the Year. This adds to her back-to-back Ballon d’Or triumphs and an incredible year that saw her claim the Spanish league, Spanish cup, and UEFA Women’s Champions League titles with Barcelona. Bonmatí’s consistency and influence on the pitch have firmly established her as a dominant force in women’s football.
Also, read: Kendrick Lamar’s Dual Identity: Bridging African Roots and African American Heritage
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was named FIFA Men’s Coach of the Year after guiding his team to their 15th UEFA Champions League title and another La Liga championship. Meanwhile, Emma Hayes, the head coach of the United States women’s national team, won FIFA Women’s Coach of the Year. Hayes’ accolades include leading the U.S. to Olympic gold in Paris and securing a fifth consecutive Women’s Super League title with Chelsea.
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho took home the prestigious Puskás Award for his stunning overhead kick against Everton last November. In a historic moment for women’s football, Brazilian legend Marta was honored with the inaugural FIFA Marta Award, named in her honor. Marta received the award for her brilliant solo goal against Jamaica during an international friendly in June.
The FIFA 2024 Awards showcased the year’s best talents and achievements across the world of football. From Vinícius Júnior’s electrifying performances to Aitana Bonmatí’s unwavering dominance, the ceremony celebrated the pinnacle of athleticism and skill, inspiring fans and players alike.
As the football world looks ahead, these winners continue to set the bar for excellence in their respective fields, reminding us of the beauty and power of the game
