FIFA The Best awards
Vinicius Jr took home the FIFA award for the best male footballer of 2024, beating teammate Jude Bellingham as well as Manchester City’s Rodri to the prize after another stellar year for Real Madrid that saw him win both LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League.
The Brazilian was pipped, perhaps surprisingly, by Rodri in the Ballon d’Or race earlier in the year, with the vote going the way of the Spaniard in dramatic circumstances.
As such, this award must have felt good for the forward, who adds another trophy to his cabinet and cements his status at the top of the world game.
The vote was split between coaches, players and fans, with Vini Jr coming out on top.
Of the captains, ex-Real Madrid man Martin Ødegaard, along with Liverpool pair Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah all voted for Vinicius Jr.
However, Harry Kane, Heung Min Son and Joshua Kimmich all voted for Rodri.
Lionel Messi got top votes from Italy, Gibraltar, Chile and Samoa, with Fede Valverde and Florian Wirtz getting one vote each.
USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino went: Lionel Messi, Rodri, Vini Jr while Jesse March picked Erling Haaland as his number one.
Spain’s Euro 2024-winning manager Luis de la Fuente went for Dani Carvajal ahead of Rodri and Lamine Yamal.
There weren’t really any left-field choices from the coaches, with Wirtz, Valverde, Messi and Carvajal all getting into plenty of top 3 votes.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid
As for the media votes, they didn’t throw up any major surprises, with the USA’s Douglas McIntyre going Bellingham, Rodri and Vini Jr.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
About the author
Joe Brennan
Born in Leeds, Joe finished his Spanish degree in 2018 before becoming an English teacher to football (soccer) players and managers, as well as collaborating with various football media outlets in English and Spanish. He joined AS in 2022 and covers both the men’s and women’s game across Europe and beyond.
Real Madrid
Premier League
Premier League
DAZN
Enjoy live and on-demand online sports on DAZN. Activate your account
NBA Pass League
Now you can watch the entire NBA season or your favorite teams on streaming.
