FIFA has announced the winners of the 2024 The Best Awards, celebrating the year’s finest achievements in football. Among the highlights were the victories of Vinícius Jr., Aitana Bonmatí, Carlo Ancelotti, Emma Hayes, and the goals scored by Marta and Alejandro Garnacho, which were recognized as the best of the year.
Vinícius Jr. and Real Madrid Shine
The Brazilian star finally earned individual recognition, winning his first The Best award for his performance as a footballer. This accolade adds to his successes with Real Madrid. Notably, Vinícius surpassed Rodri, the recent Ballon d’Or winner, who took second place in The Best voting.
In addition to Vinícius, Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham was honored as the third-best player of the year. These two, along with teammates Toni Kroos and Antonio Rüdiger, were also named to The Best XI for 2024.
Bonmatí Dominates Women’s Football
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmatí of Barcelona secured her place as the year’s best female player. This marks her second consecutive The Best award, joining the elite ranks of players like Alexia Putellas, Lionel Messi, and Robert Lewandowski, who have achieved this feat.
Bonmatí’s stellar year included winning a historic quadruple with Barcelona and claiming the Nations League title with Spain. She also received the Ballon d’Or just weeks before this award ceremony.
Ancelotti and Hayes: The Best Strategists
In the managerial category, Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid was named The Best Coach of 2024 in men’s football, while Emma Hayes, who coached Chelsea and the U.S. national team this year, earned the honor in women’s football.
Dibu and Naeher: The Walls of 2024
In goalkeeping, Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez was named the Best Men’s Goalkeeper of the year, while Alyssa Naeher, the U.S. national team’s standout, took the women’s honor, adding to her Olympic medal from Paris 2024.
Marta and Garnacho: Authors of Masterpieces
The Best Goal awards showcased breathtaking artistry. Brazilian legend Marta received the inaugural Best Women’s Goal award for a stunning strike against Jamaica on June 1, 2024. After collecting a deflection, she dribbled past a defender with a mesmerizing step-over, cut to her left, and unleashed a perfectly placed shot into the top corner.
On the men’s side, Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho claimed the honor for his acrobatic bicycle kick against Everton on November 26, 2023. Calculating the trajectory of a cross from the right, Garnacho launched himself into the air just outside the penalty arc, connecting with precision. The ball soared gracefully into the opposite corner, etching his goal as a true masterpiece.
