Costa Rica Post

Pura Vida, Every Day
Friday, May 09, 2025

Vinicius Secures FIFA's 'The Best' Award After Narrow Miss with Ballon d'Or

The Brazilian star finally clinches the top accolade, ending 2024 on a triumphant note amid fierce competition.
In a year marked by soaring triumphs and near misses, Vinicius Jr. has emerged victorious, capturing the highly coveted FIFA 'The Best' award for the first time in his burgeoning career.

The Brazilian forward's moment of glory came as he was crowned the best footballer of the year, an accolade that serves as a sweet recompense after narrowly missing out on the Ballon d'Or, where he finished as runner-up to Spain’s Rodri.

Vinicius's journey to the pinnacle of world football has been a testament to his resilience and extraordinary talent.

As the most globally acclaimed player, he garnered overwhelming support from the captains of over 200 national teams, their managers, and a broad spectrum of journalists and fervent fans worldwide.

At the awards ceremony in Doha, Qatar, an emotional Vinicius reflected on his ascent from a childhood steeped in adversity.

'Thank you all very much; this has been a great dream for me.

I once thought reaching here was impossible, given my upbringing amidst poverty and crime, where football was just a game,' he remarked, visibly moved as he accepted his honor.

The 2023/24 season saw Vinicius at the zenith of his game.

Competing under the illustrious banner of Real Madrid, he played a pivotal role in clinching both the UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles.

His stellar performances boasted 24 goals and 11 assists over 39 matches, underscoring his influence on the pitch.

This year’s nominations included titans of the sport such as Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, and Rodri, from whom Vinicius ultimately wrested the title.

Meanwhile, Aitana Bonmatí of FC Barcelona mirrored her Ballon d’Or triumph by claiming 'The Best' female footballer award.

The accolades continued as Argentine Alejandro Garnacho won the Puskas Award, celebrated for his breathtaking bicycle kick goal against Everton.

Emiliano Martínez, Argentina’s stalwart goalkeeper, retained his crown as the best goalkeeper for the second time in three years, following a stellar Copa América victory.

FIFA lauded his consistent excellence, quoting 'Dibu’s done it again,' in a spirited acknowledgment of his achievement.

Carlo Ancelotti, no less central to the night’s celebrations, was honored as the year's top manager after leading Real Madrid to a remarkable double.

The evening underscored a year of exhilarating competition and significant milestones in the football world, with Vinicius's victory a fitting capstone to a year of highs and his own personal redemption.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Huge Copper, Gold, and Silver Discovery in Argentina and Chile — But the Profits Go Abroad
Trump Rules Out Third Term, Names JD Vance and Marco Rubio as Potential Successors
Mexico Says ‘No’ to U.S. Troops: President Sheinbaum Rejects Trump’s Offer to Fight Cartels
Trump Shares AI-Generated Image of Himself as… Pope, Prompting Outrage Reaction
Amazon Launches Satellite Internet Service Amidst Competition with SpaceX
Transformative Changes in Women's Wrestling: The Rise of WWE Superstars
Brazilian Woman Jailed for Fourteen Years for Writing “You Lost, Idiot” on Statue During Protest
U.S. Economy Shrink in Trump’s First Quarter as Tariff Policy Raises Questions
Carney Secures Liberal Mandate in Canada’s Federal Election
Liverpool Clinches Record-Equalling 20th English League Title Under Arne Slot
Driver Ploughs into Vancouver Festival Crowd, Killing Nine
Depression, Fear of Defamation, and a Tragic End: New Details on Virginia Giuffre’s Suicide
Corrupted from Within: How Deep State Power and Unelected Judges Hijacked Democracy Against the Will of the People
Milwaukee Judge Arrested on Allegations of Aiding Undocumented Immigrant’s Escape
Pope Francis: head of the Catholic church who pushed for social and economic justice
Global Leaders Pay Tribute to Pope Francis Following His Death
El Salvador Proposes Prisoner Exchange with Venezuela Amid Deportation Controversy
US Government Defends Deportation of Salvadoran National Kilmar Abrego Garcia
A casino in Mexico burns at the hands of cartels
Pope Francis Makes Brief Appearance at Easter Sunday Mass
"Some complain that we put thousands in prison. In reality, we set millions free."
US Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Rapid Deportation Policy
U.S. State Department Raises El Salvador’s Safety Ranking, Making It Safer Than France and Other European Nations
U.S. and Panama Finalize Defense Agreements Amid Canal Access and Chinese Influence Concerns
Alisha Lehmann's Modeling Campaign and Public Controversy Stir Debate Ahead of UEFA Women's Euro
Argentina's "Magician" or a Public Relations Illusion? "Individuals Are Sifting Through Garbage and Resting on the Sidewalks."
Ecuador Gears Up for US Military Deployment in Response to Action Against Violent Drug Cartels
The Trump administration has rescinded legal status for more than 530,000 migrants hailing from four nations.
Trump Administration's Deportation of Alleged Gang Members Sparks Legal Dispute
Deadly Tornadoes and Dust Storms Lead to 33 Deaths in Central and Southern United States
Mark Carney Chosen as Leader of Canada's Liberal Party, Poised to Become Prime Minister
Trump Administration Plans New Travel Ban Including Afghanistan and Pakistan
US Announces $10 Million Bounty for Capture of Ex-Olympic Snowboarder Now Drug Kingpin
El Salvador Pursues Extradition of Former Colonel Tied to 1982 Killings of Dutch Journalists.
U.S. Creates Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve, Sparking Market Surge
Research Explores Possible Connection Between COVID-19 Vaccines and Post-Vaccination Syndrome
Latin America News Synopsis: Gatherings, Legal Disputes, and Economic Developments
Mexico Offers Constitutional Amendments to Protect Sovereignty in Response to U.S. Terrorist Labels for Cartels
Tequila Sector Faces Oversupply Challenge as Agave Prices Drop Sharply
Costa Rica to Welcome Repatriated Migrants from the United States
New York Fashion Week Showcases Iconic Comebacks and Rising Stars
OpenAI Revises Its Approach in Response to Growing AI Competition
Trump Wins Again as Canada Agrees to Strengthen Border Security
Wall Street Journal Criticizes Trump's Trade War with Canada and Mexico
Trump Freezes Tariffs on Mexico After Agreement on Border Security
Apple Abandons AR Glasses Project Amid Struggles with Technology and Market Demand
U.S. Clinical Study Investigates Medication to Prolong Dogs' Lifespan
Trump: Canada Should Become the 51st U.S. State
Panama Rules Out Negotiations With US Over Control of Canal
The 'Chinese Pearl Harbor' on U.S. Tech: DeepSeek's Launch Triggers Market Collapse
×