DOHA, Qatar — On Tuesday, Real Madrid’s standout player, Vinícius Júnior, celebrated a significant milestone by being recognized as the men’s player of the year at FIFA’s esteemed “The Best” awards event. Meanwhile, Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona continued her winning streak in women’s soccer by taking home the top honor for female players.

At just 24 years old, Vinícius faced disappointment when he missed out on the Ballon d’Or to Manchester City’s Rodri back in October. In response, he and his Madrid teammates boycotted the ceremony in Paris as a form of protest. This time around, Vinícius managed to secure the award, finishing ahead of Rodri by just five points. He proudly attended the FIFA ceremony after arriving in Doha with his team for the Intercontinental Cup final against Pachuca the day before.

Vinícius expressed his gratitude upon receiving the award, stating, “I don’t even know where to begin. It was so far away that it seemed impossible to get here. I was a kid who played football barefoot on the streets of São Gonçalo, near poverty and crime. Achieving this milestone is incredibly significant for me. I’m representing many children who believe that everything is unattainable and that they cannot reach this level.”

In a heartfelt Instagram post, he conveyed similar thoughts while subtly critiquing the voters of the Ballon d’Or — a group of journalists from the top 100 countries ranked by FIFA. Vinícius wrote, “Today I want to address that boy who watched countless idols lift this trophy… your moment has arrived… or rather, my moment has arrived. It’s the time to declare… yes, I am the best player in the world, and I fought rigorously for it. They have tried and continue to try to undermine my achievements. But they are not ready for this. No one can dictate who I should represent or how I should conduct myself.”

Vinícius has experienced racial abuse while playing in Spain, which led him to admit earlier this year that he was “losing my will to play.” However, he remains determined to continue fighting against adversity.

Aitana Bonmati also made headlines by winning the award for the best women’s player of the year, marking her second consecutive win at FIFA’s awards, which align with the prestigious Ballon d’Or. The 26-year-old midfielder from Spain has had an impressive career, securing the Ballon d’Or twice in a row and achieving victorious seasons in the Spanish league, Spanish cup, and the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona in 2024.

“I am incredibly appreciative of receiving this award. As I often mention, it truly reflects a team effort,” Bonmati remarked. “It has been a remarkable year, quite challenging to replicate. I am thankful for all the individuals who assist me in improving every day, from those at the club to my teammates, who always support my growth.”

FIFA outlined that the award winners were determined through a “balanced voting system,” consisting of fans, current captains and coaches from national teams, along with media representatives. The nominees for both categories were chosen based on their performances from August 21, 2023, to August 10, 2024, with an 11-player shortlist available.

Vinícius had an outstanding season, netting 24 goals in 39 matches for Madrid, playing a pivotal role in the team capturing its record 15th European Cup — his second Champions League title. He made history by scoring in the final, becoming the youngest player to score in two Champions League finals.

His Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham secured the third position, followed by Dani Carvajal and Lamine Yamal, while Lionel Messi, who had claimed the award for the previous two years, finished in sixth place.

In the managerial categories, Carlo Ancelotti of Madrid was awarded as the best men’s coach, while Emma Hayes from the United States took home the award for the best women’s coach after leading the USWNT to Olympic gold in Paris in August. The women’s goalkeeper award went to Alyssa Naeher, while Emiliano Martínez claimed the men’s prize for the second year running.

Alejandro Garnacho was awarded the FIFA Puskás Award for the best goal, recognizing an incredible overhead kick he executed for Manchester United against Everton in November 2023. Additionally, Marta was honored with the inaugural FIFA Marta Award for her goal representing Brazil against Jamaica in June.