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Aitana Bonmatí and Vincius Jr. win The Best award for the best players in the world

This past Tuesday, Andrea Bonmatí, Barça midfielder, and Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid striker, were awarded The Best award offered by FIFA to the best players in the world in Doha. The Barça player has received the award for the second consecutive year, consolidating her position as an influential player in the world of football on a global level. Bonmatí has been one of the key players in the Barça women's team's 2023/24 season, which this year has seen them win the Spanish Super Cup, the Copa de la Reina, the Champions League and La Liga.

The Catalan, who received the award from the hands of the former player and coach of the United States Women's National Soccer Team from 2014 to 2019, Jill Ellis, said: ‘It's a team effort, I'm very happy to receive this award after a year that will be difficult to repeat. Without my teammates I wouldn't be the player I am. However, it was a first for Vincius Jr, who made history as the first Brazilian to receive The Best award. Although it was no surprise, the striker has been one of the key players in a successful season for Real Madrid that has seen them win the Champions League, LaLiga, the European Super Cup and the Spanish Super Cup and is now in contention to lift the Intercontinental Cup trophy. In addition, he has already fallen just short of receiving the Ballon d'Or after having been the big favourite, although in the end it went to Rodri Hernández.

Vinicius succeeds Leo Messi, winner of the last two editions and the player who has won it most times (he has won it three times), followed by another great, Cristiano Ronaldo and the Pole, Robert Lewandowski. In collecting the award, the Brazilian made it clear that he wants to play ‘a long time’ more in what he considers ‘the best club in the world’. He also took the opportunity to thank those who support him and recalled key figures in his career who, before him, have already received awards of this calibre.

‘I want to thank everyone who voted for me, the coaches, players and journalists. I want to thank the family who gave up living their dreams so that I could live mine and be able to get here today. I would also like to thank the president (Florentino Pérez), José Ángel (Sánchez, the club's executive director) and the coach Carlo (Ancelotti), who always helped me a lot. Also to Juni (Calafat, chief scout) for trusting me when I was just 16 years old. I was able to show that I could make a difference and do great things this season. I want to continue playing for a long time for Real Madrid, which is the best club in the world, and I also want to thank Flamengo and all the players of the Brazilian national team,’ he said emotionally.