Vinicius Junior and Aitana Bonmati Crowned FIFA Players of the Year
Vinicius Junior, the dazzling Brazilian forward for Real Madrid, has been named FIFA Men’s Player of the Year. Meanwhile, Spain’s midfield maestro Aitana Bonmati clinched the Women’s Player of the Year award for the second consecutive year.
Vinicius, 23, secured the prestigious award after an exceptional season with Real Madrid, where he netted 24 goals and provided 11 assists in just 39 matches. His stellar performances were instrumental in leading Los Blancos to both La Liga and Champions League triumphs. This accolade comes as a significant moment for Vinicius, who narrowly missed out on the Ballon d’Or to Manchester City’s Rodri earlier in October.
After expressing his disappointment by boycotting the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris alongside his Real Madrid teammates, Vinicius was all smiles in Doha. He attended the FIFA ceremony ahead of the Intercontinental Cup final against Pachuca, proudly accepting the award and edging out Rodri by a margin of five points.
“It’s an honor to receive this award,” Vinicius said. “This is for my teammates, my family, and everyone who has supported me.”
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmati, the 26-year-old Barcelona star, continues to dominate. Adding to her two Ballon d’Or titles, Bonmati led Barcelona to a historic continental quadruple last season. Her leadership on the field also helped Spain secure the Nations League title.
“I’m grateful for this recognition,” Bonmati remarked. “It reflects the hard work of the entire team.”
Both players’ achievements highlight the global talent flourishing in football today, inspiring young athletes around the world.
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Vinicius Junior and Aitana Bonmati win FIFA Player of the Year Awards
cgtn.com
