Vinicius celebrates ´impossible´ FIFA Best triumph

Vinicius Junior revelled in a coronation at The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony on Tuesday that “seemed impossible” when he joined Real Madrid.

The Madrid and Brazil winger was recognised at the annual event as The Best FIFA Men’s Player for 2024.

Vinicius had lost out on this year’s Ballon d’Or to Rodri, snubbing the ceremony after he learned of the Manchester City man’s triumph.

The player’s Madrid colleagues also boycotted the Ballon d’Or, with the club describing the decision as “disrespectful”, but there was a very different mood in Doha on Tuesday.

Vinicius took the top award as boss Carlo Ancelotti was named The Best FIFA Men’s Coach.

And the 24-year-old credited Ancelotti as he reflected on his development in Spain over the past six and a half years and reaffirmed his commitment to Madrid.

“It seemed impossible to get to this point and it is very important for me,” Vinicius said. “I want to thank everyone who voted for me: coaches, players and journalists.

“I want to thank the president [Florentino Perez], [CEO] Jose Angel Sanchez and Ancelotti. They helped me a lot and believed in me when I was only 16 years old.

“I want to continue playing for Real Madrid for a long time; it is the best club in the world.”

In an apparent dig at the Ballon d’Or voting process, FIFA president Gianni Infantino added in support of Vinicius: “If you want to know who is the best in the world, it has to be through FIFA, because everyone votes, it is transparent, objective and inclusive.”

Vinicius’ frustration at failing to take France Football’s top prize came off the back of a season in which he led Madrid to LaLiga and Champions League glory.

He scored 24 goals in all competitions, the last of which came in a 2-0 European final victory over Borussia Dortmund.

Speaking earlier on Tuesday, team-mate Jude Bellingham said of Vinicius: “If he has won it, I totally agree. He helps the team a lot.

“It would be very deserved if he wins it. I would be very happy for him.”