Fifa Awards: Vinicius wins Best Men's player as Bonmati picks up second women's prize

Brazilian makes up for missing out on Ballon d'Or, collecting award in Doha ahead of Real Madrid's Intercontinental Cup match against Pachuca

Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior poses with the Best Player trophy during the Best Fifa Football Awards 2024 ceremony in Doha. AFP

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr was crowned Fifa Best Men's player of the year, while Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati picked up the women's prize for the second time at an awards ceremony in Doha on Tuesday.

The award comes two months after the 24-year-old Brazil international Vinicius finished second to Manchester City midfielder Rodri for the Ballon d'Or.

That night, Real Madrid snubbed the ceremony when they learned beforehand that Vinicius would not win, but were on hand in Doha as they arrived for Wednesday's Intercontinental Cup final where they face Mexico's Pachuca.

"Thank you very much. I don't know where to start. It was impossible to think of getting here. I grew up in a world of poverty, of organised crime. It's for all the children who grow up in that world. I thank everyone who voted for me," Vinicius said on stage.

"[Thank you] To my family, to the club, to my teammates, to Carletto [Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti], who always helps me.

"To everyone who helped make my dream come true. I hope to be at Madrid for many years, because it is the best club in the world. To Flamengo [his first club in Brazil]. To my teammates in my national team. And to my country, which always supports me in my work."

Vinicius succeeds Lionel Messi as the Fifa Best men's player after the Argentinian scooped up the last two editions of the award.

The Brazilian scored 24 goals and laid on 11 assists in 39 matches across all competitions as he led Real to a La Liga and Uefa Champions League double last season.

Having already wrapped up his third La Liga title in May, Vinicius secured the second Champions League trophy of his career as Real beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 on June 1.

Vinicius was on the scoresheet at Wembley with a pinpoint finish inside the final 10 minutes to make the game safe for his team. He was the top scorer for the Champions League winners with six goals in the competition.

Bonmati wins again

The 26-year-old Spain international Bonmati picked up the Best Women's player award for the second year running, adding to the two Ballon d'Or trophies she already boasts.

"I'm grateful, I'm proud to receive this award," Bonmati said via video link from Barcelona's Olympic stadium.

Last term, Bonmati led Barcelona to a historic continental quadruple of titles and claimed the Uefa Nations League with her national team.

Bonmati scored a goal and put in a player-of-the-match performance as Barcelona beat Lyon 2-0 in the final of the Champions League to claim their third title in four seasons.

Manchester United's Argentine forward Alejandro Garnacho won the Puskas award for the best goal of the year for his spectacular bicycle kick against Everton in the Premier League.

Winners of the Best Fifa Football Awards 2024

The Best Men’s Player 2024 winner: Vinicius Junior (Brazil/Real Madrid)

The Best Men’s Coach 2024 winner: Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)

The Best Men’s Goalkeeper 2024 winner: Emiliano Martinez (Argentina/Aston Villa)

The Best Women’s Player 2024 winner: Aitana Bonmati (Spain/Barcelona)

The Best Marta Award 2024 Winner: Marta (Brazil)

The Best Women’s Coach 2024 winner: Emma Hayes (USA/Chelsea)

The Best Women’s Goalkeeper 2024 winner: Alyssa Naeher (USA/Chicago Red Stars)

The Best Puskas Award 2024 winner: Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United)