FIFA Best Awards 2024: Big Winners and Highlights
At the FIFA Best Awards 2024, Vinicius Jr. from Real Madrid snagged the Best Men’s Player award. He beat out Rodri, who won the Ballon d’Or. Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United also made waves. He won the Puskas Award for Goal of the Year thanks to a jaw-dropping bicycle kick against Everton in November 2023. Emma Hayes earned the title of Best Women’s Coach for the second time. And yes, Vinicius Jr. won Best Men’s Player again, a huge win for him.
Emma Hayes: Best Women’s Coach
Emma Hayes, who is 48 and coaches the United States women’s team, was named Best Women’s Coach again. She led Chelsea to their fifth straight Women’s Super League title before moving to the U.S. team. There, she helped them win Olympic gold in Paris. This is her second time winning this award; she first claimed it in 2021. She took the title back from Sarina Wiegman, who won it in 2022 and 2023. Emma also won the Ballon d’Or for Women’s Coach of the Year in October.
Vinicius Jr.: Best Men’s Player
Vinicius Jr. from Brazil and Real Madrid won his first FIFA award at the Best Awards, even though he missed the Ballon d’Or event where he lost to Rodri. His amazing performances in the 2023-24 season helped Real Madrid win both La Liga and the Champions League. He scored 24 goals and had 11 assists. He finished ahead of Rodri and Jude Bellingham, while big names like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe were also in the running.
Other Notable Winners
In other awards, Emiliano Martinez, Aston Villa’s goalkeeper, won Best FIFA Goalkeeper for his role in helping Argentina win the Copa America. Aitana Bonmati from Barcelona and Spain was named Best Women’s Player for the second year in a row. Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti won Best Men’s Coach.
Puskas Award and Women’s Goalkeeper
Alejandro Garnacho’s amazing overhead kick earned him the Puskas Award. Brazil’s Marta won Best Women’s Goal for her stunning goal. The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper award went to Alyssa Naeher from the U.S. and Chicago Red Stars.
The FIFA Best Awards 2024 highlighted some of the best talents in football, celebrating top achievements in both men’s and women’s games.
