Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has been named the men’s player of the year at the FIFA Best awards, with Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati winning the women’s prize.
Vinicius Jr edged out Manchester City midfielder Rodri, with his Madrid team-mate Jude Bellingham finishing third.
Bonmati won the award for best women’s player for a second straight year, less than a month after winning her second successive Ballon d’Or.
The 26-year-old playmaker won every possible trophy at club level last season as Barcelona clinched a historic quadruple, winning Liga F, the Champions League, Supercopa and Copa de la Reina.
At international level, she was a key part of the Spain side that won the inaugural Nations League competition in February, scoring four goals in the tournament — including one in the 2-0 win over France in the final.
Vinicius Jr was in Doha, Qatar, to collect his award after boycotting the Ballon d’Or ceremony last month in protest at being overlooked as winner of the men’s prize, which went to Rodri.
The Brazilian attacker scored 24 goals and provided 11 assists in all competitions last term to help Madrid win La Liga and the Champions League.
Elsewhere, Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho won the Puskas Award for goal of the season.
The Argentina forward’s spectacular bicycle kick against Everton in November 2023 came out on top in a fan vote from an 11-player shortlist.
Emma Hayes was named women’s coach of the year after leading former club Chelsea to a fifth successive Women’s Super League title.
It’s the second time Hayes has won the accolade and the first since she became head coach of the USWNT.
Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti won men’s coach of the year, beating off competition from Xabi Alonso, Luis de la Fuente, Pep Guardiola and Lionel Scaloni to win the award for the first time in his career.
(Mohamed Farag – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
