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Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr has reacted on social media after winning the 2024 FIFA Best Men's Player award. The 24-year-old received the award on December 17 at the Aspire Academy in Doha, Qatar.
This accomplishment for Vinicius comes after he and his club boycotted this year's Ballon d'Or ceremony. Even though he was highly anticipated to win the annual honor, the Brazilian forward missed out to Manchester City's Rodri in October.
Vinicius Jr was among the favorites to win the 2024 FIFA Best Men's Player award, which is determined by a public vote from journalists, national team managers, and captains from each country. He won the award with a total of 48 points, five more than second-placed Rodri. After receiving the honor on stage, the Flamengo graduate said (via Sky Sports):
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"It seemed impossible when I played barefoot in the streets of Sao Goncalo and now I'm here."
Vinicius also took to social media to celebrate his accomplishment and posted several images from The Best FIFA Football Awards 2024 ceremony with the caption (via his official Instagram account):
"Today I write to that boy who saw so many idols lift this trophy... his time has come. Or rather, my time has come. The time to say... yes, I am the best player in the world, and I fought hard for it."
"They tried and try to invalidate me, to diminish me. But they are not prepared. No one will tell me who I should fight for, how I should behave. When I was in São Gonçalo, the system didn't care about me. I was almost swallowed up. I won for myself, for my family. With a lot of support along the way: Flamengo, Real Madrid, Brazilian National Team, my hundreds of companions in these years... the people who accompany me daily in my routine, who admire me..."
Vinicius Jr had a spectacular run at Real Madrid in the 2023-24 campaign. He scored 24 goals and provided 11 assists in 39 appearances across all competitions last season. He was involved in several match-defining moments for the club, including a goal in the UEFA Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund and netting a hat-trick against Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final. He also won LaLiga with Los Blancos last season.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti backed Vinicius Jr to win 2024 FIFA The Best Men's Player award
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti backed Vinicius Jr to win the 2024 FIFA The Best Men's Player award. The Italian manager lavished praise on the Brazilian winger after rumors surfaced about him winning the honor prior to the ceremony.
While speaking to the press ahead of Real Madrid's FIFA Intercontinental Cup final against Pachuca on December 18, Ancelotti was asked about the rumors. He said (via Madrid Universal):
"He deserves it. He's a fantastic player and it would be a fair award after what he did in 2024. I hope he wins it."
While Vinicius Jr bagged the Best Men's Player award, Carlo Ancelotti also won the 2024 The Best Men's Coach of the Year award.
