Vinicius named FIFA Player of the Year

Vinicius, a striker from Real Madrid, Spain's professional soccer league, was chosen as the men's player of the year by the International Football Federation and FIFA.

In the Player of the Year category, which is determined by the results of national team coaches, captains and media, Vinicius scored 48 points, beating Manchester City's Rodri and teammate Bellingham for the joy of winning the award.

Vinicius played 39 official matches for Real Madrid in the 2023-2024 season, scoring 24 goals.

He led his team to victory in the European Champions League final in June by scoring a wedge goal, and in the Spanish Super Cup in January, he scored a hat-trick against rival Barcelona to lead the team to a big victory.

The award leaves Vinicius as the first Brazilian player to be named FIFA Player of the Year in 17 years, following Kaká in 2007.