EBN- Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior has been named FIFA’s ‘The Best’ player of 2024.
FIFA did justice to the Brazilian star by awarding him the “The Best” award, after he lost the Golden Ball to the Spaniard Rodri, during a dinner held at the Aspire Academy in the Qatari capital, Doha.
The ceremony was held on the eve of the final match of the Intercontinental Cup between Real Madrid and Pachuca, and the second anniversary of the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar.
Vinicius became the first Brazilian to win the award since Kaka in 2007, joining a galaxy of Brazilian stars including Romario (1994), Ronaldo (1996, 1997 and 2002), Rivaldo (1999), Ronaldinho (2004 and 2005) and Kaka (2007).
Vinicius scored 24 goals and made 11 assists in 39 games for Real Madrid in the 2023-2024 season, contributing to their winning of the Spanish League and the Champions League titles.
The award will take into account the player’s sporting performance and general conduct on and off the field during the period between August 21, 2023 and August 10, 2024.
Vinicius Junior outperformed many of his teammates, such as Dani Carvajal, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and also other stars, most notably Rodri, Erling Haaland, Lamine Yamal, and Lionel Messi.
Vinicius Junior surprisingly lost the Ballon d’Or last October, as Real Madrid refused to attend the ceremony organised by France Football magazine in partnership with the European Football Association (UEFA).
