Full List of Winners from The Best FIFA Awards 2024: Garnacho Shines with Puskas Award

2 hours ago | 5 Views

Vinícius Júnior, having previously missed out on the Ballon d'Or in October to Manchester City midfielder Rodri, and after his team Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony in Paris in protest, finally received a significant global accolade on Tuesday. He was awarded the title of men’s player of the year at FIFA’s “The Best” awards. In women's football, Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati continued her success by winning multiple awards. Additionally, Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho was honored with the Puskas Award for his remarkable overhead goal against Everton in the Premier League.

In contrast to the Ballon d'Or results, the standings at the top of this award were reversed, with Rodri finishing in second place, trailing the Real Madrid star by five points. Vinícius was present at the ceremony in Doha to accept his award, having traveled to the city with his club for the Intercontinental Cup final against Pachuca.

“I don’t even know where to begin," Vinícius expressed in Portuguese. "It was so far away that it seemed impossible to get here. I was a kid who only played football barefoot on the streets of São Gonçalo, close to poverty and crime.

"Reaching this point is incredibly important to me. I’m doing it for many children who believe that everything is impossible and who think they can’t achieve their dreams.”

Real Madrid also received further recognition as Carlo Ancelotti was named the best men’s coach, having led the team to victories in both La Liga and the Champions League last season.