Bonmati wins the women’s prize once more, and Vinicius Jr. is crowned the 2024 FIFA Player of the Year

Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the women’s FIFA Women’s Player of the Year award for the second consecutive year, while Vinicius Jr., a forward for Real Madrid and Brazil, was named FIFA Men’s Player of the Year in Doha on Tuesday.

Vinicius helped Real Madrid win both the La Liga and the Champions League by scoring 24 goals in 39 games across all competitions. He also scored in the team’s victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final.

The Brazilian took home the prize before Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid, England, and Rodri, a midfielder for Manchester City and Spain.

The 24-year-old was in Doha to pick up the prize after Real Madrid barely lost to Rodri in October for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final on Wednesday against Pachuca of Mexico.

“It seemed impossible when I played barefoot in the streets of Sao Goncalo and now, I’m here,” remarked Vinicius.

In addition to winning the women’s Ballon d’Or for the second year in a row in October, Bonmati also retained the FIFA women’s player of the year title, defeating Barbra Banda of Zambia and Caroline Graham Hansen of Norway.

In a season where Barca also won the Champions League and Bonmati scored in the semi-final and final as Spain won the Nations League in February, the 26-year-old helped her team win a domestic treble last season.

“I’m very grateful for this award, but I always say that this is a team effort, with a Barca that won everything and the national team,” Bonmati stated.
After leading Real Madrid to a league and Champions League double the previous season, Carlo Ancelotti, an Italian, was named the best men’s coach.

“I want to share this with the club, with my president and with my players, those of the best club in the world,” stated Ancelotti.

After leading Chelsea to the WSL championship last season—her sixth straight league victory with the team—and leading the United States to the gold medal in this year’s Olympic Games, Emma Hayes was named the best women’s coach.

Alejandro Garnacho’s goal for Manchester United against Everton in the Premier League last November earned him the Puskas Award for best goal of the year.

Because of her goal against Jamaica in June of this year, Brazil’s Marta took home the first-ever Marta Award for the finest goal in women’s football.

Emiliano Martinez of Argentina and Aston Villa won the men’s goalkeeping prize, while American Alyssa Naeher of the Chicago Red Stars won the top women’s goalkeeper title.