Vinicius Jr has become the third Real Madrid player to win FIFA’s prestigious Best Men’s Player award, following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric.

Vinicius Junior has made history by winning the Best FIFA Men’s Player award, becoming the first Brazilian to claim the honor since the award’s inception in 2016. The announcement was made on Tuesday at the Aspire Academy in Doha, Qatar.

Reflecting on his journey, Vinicius shared, “I was a kid playing barefoot in the streets of Sao Goncalo. I’m a role model for many kids who think everything is impossible and that they can’t get this far.”

The 2023-24 season was a standout campaign for the Real Madrid forward. He tallied 24 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions, helping his team secure the La Liga title, the UEFA Champions League, and the Supercopa de España. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GfBJy9gWQAANV6r?format=png&name=smallNotably, he scored a stunning hat-trick in the Supercopa final against rivals Barcelona.

Vinicius topped the votes with 48 points, surpassing 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri of Manchester City (43 points) and his Real Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham (37 points).

With this achievement, Vinicius becomes the third Real Madrid player to win the award under its current format, following Cristiano Ronaldo (2016, 2017) and Luka Modric (2018).

THE BIGGER PICTURE

At just 24 years old, Vinicius Junior has risen from a life of poverty to being crowned the best football player on the planet, a journey marked by resilience and determination. His unwavering resolve was highlighted by two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo, who praised Vinicius not only for his brilliance on the pitch but also for his commitment to fighting racism—a cause he has championed while dazzling fans with his extraordinary talent.