- Vinícius Jr. won “The Best” trophy at the ninth edition of FIFA’s annual awards
- Carlo Ancelotti was named Coach of the Year after leading Real Madrid to multiple titles, including the UEFA Champions League and La Liga
- Emiliano Martínez won the Goalkeeper of the Year award for his impressive performances with Aston Villa and Argentina
- Five Real Madrid players were included in FIFA’s Team of the Year
- The awards are decided by votes from national team captains, journalists, coaches, and fans, with each group contributing 25% to the final result
Key Takeaways:
FIFA’s “The Best” awards ceremony took place yesterday, marking the ninth time the organization has handed out the prestigious honours. The event was attended by several notable figures, including Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, coach Carlo Ancelotti, and Vinícius Jr., who was widely expected to win the top award. In contrast to his decision to boycott the Ballon d’Or ceremony in October, Vinícius Jr. was present to accept his award in person, while other winners delivered their acceptance speeches via video messages.
🚨 OFFICIAL: Vinicius Jr wins the FIFA The Best Award as Player of the Year 2024! 🏅
Congrats, @vinijr ✨🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/EYHbg2YLUS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 17, 2024
Carlo Ancelotti’s win as Coach of the Year was well-deserved, given his impressive track record with Real Madrid last season. The Italian led his team to victories in the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, and the UEFA Super Cup, and will have the opportunity to add another trophy to his collection later today when Real Madrid faces Pachuca in the Intercontinental Cup final.
The Goalkeeper of the Year award went to Emiliano Martínez, who had a standout season with Aston Villa and played a key role in Argentina’s Copa América win, as he was also included in FIFA’s Team of the Year. It featured a defense consisting of Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, Rúben Dias, and William Saliba, with a midfield of Toni Kroos, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, and Vinícius Jr., and an attack led by Lamine Yamal and Erling Haaland.
The voting process for “The Best” awards is designed to be fair and representative, with votes divided equally among national team captains, journalists, coaches, and fans. Each group contributes 25% to the final result, ensuring that a wide range of perspectives are taken into account.