Vinicius Jr. had an exceptional season with Real Madrid, scoring an impressive 24 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions. His contributions were instrumental in helping Real Madrid secure the coveted LaLiga and Champions League double, and he further cemented his impact by scoring in their Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund.
The Brazilian forward claimed the prestigious award, finishing ahead of Spain and Manchester City’s midfield stalwart, Rodri, and his talented Real Madrid teammate, England’s Jude Bellingham.
The 24-year-old, who narrowly missed out on the Ballon d’Or to Rodri earlier in October, was in Doha to receive the award. Real Madrid are currently in Qatar for the highly anticipated FIFA Intercontinental Cup final against Mexico’s Pachuca on Wednesday.
“It felt like a distant dream when I played football barefoot on the streets of Sao Goncalo, and now here I am,” an emotional Vinicius Jr. expressed.
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| Aitana Bonmati, the FIFA Women’s Player of the Year, celebrates after scoring for Spain against France in the UEFA Women’s Nations League Final at Estadio La Cartuja in Seville, Spain, on February 28, 2024. Source: Reuters |
Aitana Bonmati successfully retained her FIFA Women’s Player of the Year title, surpassing the achievements of Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Norway’s Caroline Graham Hansen. Bonmati also claimed the women’s Ballon d’Or for the second year running in October. Her stellar performances helped Barcelona secure a domestic treble last season, alongside their Champions League triumph. Additionally, Bonmati played a pivotal role in Spain’s Nations League victory in February, scoring in both the semi-final and final matches.
“I am deeply grateful for this recognition, but I always emphasize that these achievements are a team effort,” Bonmati humbly stated. “It is a testament to the success of both my club, Barcelona, and the Spanish national team.”
Real Madrid’s esteemed manager, Carlo Ancelotti, was awarded the Best Men’s Coach award. The Italian tactician guided Real Madrid to an outstanding league and Champions League double last season.
“I want to share this honor with my club, my president, and, most importantly, my players, who are part of the best club in the world,” Ancelotti proudly declared.
Emma Hayes received the Best Women’s Coach award for her remarkable achievements. She led the U.S. women’s team to Olympic gold this year and guided Chelsea to their fifth successive WSL title last season.
The Puskas Award for the best goal of the year went to Alejandro Garnacho for his stunning strike for Manchester United against Everton in the Premier League last November. Meanwhile, Brazil’s legendary forward, Marta, won the inaugural award bearing her name for the best goal in women’s football, scoring a brilliant goal against Jamaica in June.
The awards for the best goalkeepers went to Alyssa Naeher of the Chicago Red Stars in the women’s category and Emiliano Martinez of Argentina and Aston Villa in the men’s category.
The Golden Globe: Spain’s Rodri Crowned World’s Finest Footballer
PARIS — Rodri, the midfield maestro for both Spain and Manchester City, has been crowned the Ballon d’Or winner for 2023. His exceptional performances over the past 12 months have seen him beat two other outstanding candidates, Real Madrid’s dynamic duo, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham, to lift the prestigious award.
The Phenomenal Ronaldo Launches His Own YouTube Channel
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The Master Craftsman: Hummels’ Masterful Display Stuns Mbappe and PSG, Propelling Dortmund Towards Champions League Glory
Borussia Dortmund stunned Paris Saint-Germain in a Champions League semi-final thriller on Tuesday night. A solitary headed goal from Mats Hummels was enough to seal a 1-0 victory on the night and a 2-0 aggregate win to send them through to next month’s final at Wembley. With Kylian Mbappe’s star power on show, it was Dortmund’s resolute defense and clinical finishing that won the day.
