Vinícius Júnior and Aitana Bonmatí were named the top footballers of the year at Fifa’s Best Awards in Doha, with Emma Hayes following up her Ballon d’Or win with the women’s coach of the year accolade.
Hayes guided Chelsea to a fifth successive Women’s Super League title last season before leaving to take over the US national team, and leading them to Olympic gold in Paris. Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti won the men’s award after delivering La Liga and the Champions League last season. It was a happier night for Vinícius who, along with his Real Madrid teammates, boycotted the Ballon d’Or awards after missing out to Manchester City’s Rodri – but the winger picked up his prize at Fifa’s ceremony before Real face Pachuca in the Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar on Wednesday.
“It seemed impossible when I played barefoot in the streets of São Gonçalo and now I’m here,” Vinícius said after beating Rodri and clubmate Jude Bellingham to the award. His manager, Ancelotti, said: “I want to share this with the club, with my president and with my players, those of the best club in the world.”
For Bonmatí, it was another glorious evening, winning the Fifa title for the second year in succession. The Barcelona midfielder was a key part of the Spain team that won the 2023 World Cup, and claimed the Golden Ball award for the best player in the tournament.
“I am grateful and proud to win this award,” said Bonmati, who also won the Ballon d’Or in 2023 and 2024, and was named the Guardian’s best female footballer in the world for the second year running.
“I always say that this is a team effort, with a Barça that won everything and the national team,” added the 26-year-old, who beat Zambia striker Barbra Banda and Barcelona teammate Caroline Graham Hansen to retain the award.
The Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho won the Puskas Award for his sensational overhead kick against Everton in November 2023. “It’s a proud moment for me and my family,” Garnacho said in a video message. “It was a special goal and I will always remember it.”
Brazil forward Marta was a fitting winner of the inaugural Marta Award, given to the best goal of the year in women’s football. The 38-year-old won the prize for her goal against Jamaica in June.
Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez won the best men’s goalkeeper prize after helping Argentina to win the Copa América this summer. The best women’s goalkeeper award went to Alyssa Naeher of the USA and Chicago Red Stars.
Source: theguardian.com
