Vinicius Junior Celebrates 'Impossible' Win at FIFA Best Ceremony in Doha

Vinicius Junior celebrated a coronation at The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony on Tuesday, a triumph that once “seemed impossible" when he joined Real Madrid.

The Madrid and Brazil winger was honored as The Best FIFA Men's Player for 2024 at the annual event.

Vinicius had been edged out for this year's Ballon d'Or by Rodri, choosing to skip the ceremony after learning of the Manchester City star's victory.

Madrid team-mates were also boycotting the Ballon d'Or, a decision which the club deemed as "disrespectful", but the atmosphere in Doha was entirely different on Tuesday.

Vinicius was awarded the highest honor, and the manager Carlo Ancelotti was named The Best FIFA Men's Coach.

The 24-year-old, reflecting on the six and a half years he has spent growing in Spain, credited Ancelotti and reaffirmed his commitment to Madrid.

"It seemed impossible to get to this point and it is very important for me," Vinicius said. "I want to thank everyone who voted for me: coaches, players and journalists.”

"I want to thank the president Florentino Perez, CEO Jose Angel Sanchez and Ancelotti. They helped me a lot and believed in me when I was only 16 years old,” he added.

Further, he states, "I want to continue playing for Real Madrid for a long time; it is the best club in the world."

In a subtle critique of the Ballon d'Or voting process, FIFA president Gianni Infantino expressed his support for Vinicius, "If you want to know who is the best in the world, it has to be through FIFA, because everyone votes, it is transparent, objective and inclusive."

The disappointment of Vinicius due to his exclusion from the top prize of France Football has come in a season during which he led Madrid to glory in La Liga and the Champions League.

He scored 24 goals in all competitions, with the final one coming in a 2-0 European final win over Borussia Dortmund.

Speaking earlier on Tuesday, team-mate Jude Bellingham stated about Vinicius, "If he has won it, I totally agree. He helps the team a lot.”

"It would be very deserved if he wins it. I would be very happy for him," he added.