Brazil and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr was crowned FIFA men’s player of the year in Doha on Tuesday, while Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati retained the women’s award for the second consecutive year.
Vinicius, who scored 24 goals in 39 appearances to help Real Madrid secure the LaLiga and Champions League double, also netted in their Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund. He beat Spain and Manchester City’s Rodri and his Real Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham to the award. Collecting the honor in Doha ahead of Real’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup final, Vinicius reflected, “It seemed impossible when I played barefoot in the streets of Sao Goncalo, and now I’m here.”
Bonmati, who also claimed the Ballon d’Or in October, topped Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Norway’s Caroline Graham Hansen for the women’s award. The 26-year-old led Barcelona to a domestic treble and Champions League triumph last season and was instrumental in Spain’s Nations League victory, scoring in both the semi-final and final. Bonmati said, “This is a team effort, with a Barca that won everything and the national team.”
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti won the best men’s coach award for guiding his side to a league and Champions League double. Chelsea’s Emma Hayes took the best women’s coach award after winning her fifth consecutive WSL title and leading the U.S. to Olympic gold.
Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho claimed the Puskas Award for his stunning overhead kick against Everton, while Brazil’s Marta won the inaugural Marta Award for her goal against Jamaica in June.
The best goalkeepers were Argentina and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez for the men’s award and Chicago Red Stars’ Alyssa Naeher for the women’s.
