After an incredible season in which he helped his side win the Champions League, La Liga, and the Spanish and European Super Cups, Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior has been named the FIFA Best Men’s Player of the Year for 2023–24.

Vinicius recorded 24 goals and 11 assists during the season; two of his most notable performances were a hat-trick against Barcelona in the domestic Super Cup and a pivotal goal in the Champions League final.

This honor follows Vinicius and his Real Madrid teammates’ decision to skip the October Ballon d’Or presentation after finding out that Rodri of Manchester City would receive the prize. Vinicius reflected on his voyage, saying, “It seemed unthinkable that I would make it to this stage. I came from a little town that was near poverty and criminal activity. I’m here now.

.

Jude Bellingham came in third place, and Rodri came in second. Eleven players are nominated for the FIFA Best Men’s Player award, which honors accomplishments from August 21, 2023, to August 10, 2024. Coaches, captains, journalists, and supporters cast the final votes.

After Lionel Messi won the first two episodes, Vinicius now receives his first big solo prize. Interestingly, Messi did not receive a nomination this year. Known as the FIFA World Player of the Year, the award has been given out in its current form since 2016.

Along with Vinicius’ victory, Emiliano Martinez earned Best Goalkeeper, Carlo Ancelotti was voted Coach of the Year, and Alejandro Garnacho won the Puskas Award for his incredible overhead kick against Everton.

Amid the drama surrounding the Ballon d’Or presentation, where Real Madrid executives voiced their ire over Vinicius’s second-place finish, the FIFA Best award was given. Madrid decided not to attend the ceremony after Rodri was declared the winner, and there were rumors that a sizable group of about fifty persons did not show up.

With six goals and four assists in ten Champions League games and 20 goal involvements in 26 La Liga games, Vinicius had been a front-runner for the Ballon d’Or after playing a crucial part in Madrid’s successes. “If the criteria of the award do not proclaim Vinicius the winner… it is obvious that the Ballon d’Or and UEFA do not respect Real Madrid,” the club said, expressing their disappointment.

According to reports, Madrid insiders have called the snub a “historic robbery,” with feelings that “the Ballon d’Or no longer exists for us.”