The Best FIFA Football Awards 2024, held in Doha, Qatar, celebrated the pinnacle of footballing excellence, recognizing outstanding performances across various categories. This comprehensive report delves into the results, voting breakdown, and notable trends that emerged from this prestigious event.
Key Winners and Voting Breakdown
Men's Player of the Year
- Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) - 48 points
- Rodri (Manchester City) - 43 points
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) - 37 points
Vinícius Júnior's triumph as the Best FIFA Men's Player was a standout moment of the ceremony. The Real Madrid and Brazil winger was recognized for his exceptional contributions to his club's success, including leading them to a record 15th Champions League title, a 36th La Liga title, and a 13th Spanish Super Cup. This award came as a significant recognition, especially considering he was previously overlooked for the 2024 Ballon d'Or.
The voting breakdown reveals a close contest, with Vinícius edging out Rodri by just 5 points. Interestingly, Rodri, who had won the Ballon d'Or earlier in the year, finished second in the FIFA Best Awards, highlighting the differences in voting criteria and timing between the two prestigious awards.
Women's Player of the Year
- Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona) - 52 points
- Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride) - 39 points
- Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona) - 37 points
Aitana Bonmatí secured her second consecutive Best FIFA Women's Player award, underlining her dominance in women's football. Her consistent performance and leadership on the field have made her a standout figure, with her contributions to Barcelona's domestic treble and UEFA Women's Champions League victory being particularly noteworthy.
Men's Coach of the Year
Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)- 26 points
Ancelotti's strategic acumen and leadership were pivotal in Real Madrid's successful season, earning him the top spot among coaches.
Women's Coach of the Year
Emma Hayes (USWNT & Chelsea)- 23 points
Hayes was honoured for her exceptional leadership, guiding the USWNT to a record fifth Olympic gold medal and during their time with Chelsea, securing another Women's Super League trophy.
Voting System and Point Allocation
The Best FIFA Football Awards employ a unique and balanced voting system, designed to incorporate a broad spectrum of opinions from different sectors of the football community. The voting is divided into four equal parts, each contributing 25% to the final result:
- Fans (registered on FIFA.com)
- National team coaches
- National team captains
- Media members from FIFA member nations
This system ensures that the awards reflect a comprehensive view of the year's best performances, balancing the perspectives of experts, players, and supporters alike. The equal weighting of each group means that the influence is balanced regardless of the number of participants in each category.
Notable Trends and Surprises
Real Madrid's Dominance
The 2024 awards highlighted Real Madrid's exceptional year, with Vinícius Júnior winning the top men's player award and Carlo Ancelotti being named the best men's coach. This double triumph underscores the club's continued influence on world football.
Shift from Ballon d'Or Results
A notable trend was the divergence from the Ballon d'Or results. Rodri, who had won the Ballon d'Or, finished second in the FIFA Best Awards. This discrepancy highlights the different voting periods and criteria between the two awards, as well as the dynamic nature of football performance evaluation.
Women's Football Recognition
The continued success of Aitana Bonmatí, winning the award for the second consecutive year, emphasizes the growing recognition and quality of women's football. The introduction of the FIFA Marta Award for the best goal in the women's game, fittingly won by Marta herself, further demonstrates FIFA's commitment to promoting and celebrating women's football.
Voting Patterns of Football Stars
The voting choices of football stars provided interesting insights:
- Lionel Messi, as Argentina's captain, voted for Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, and Vinícius Jr. in that order.
- Mohamed Salah ranked Vinícius Jr. first, followed by Rodri and Dani Carvajal.
- Harry Kane chose Rodri as his top pick, with Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Jr. following.
These voting patterns reflect the diverse perspectives within the football community and the respect players have for their peers' performances.
Public and Peer Reactions
The reactions to the awards have been largely positive, with many celebrating the achievements of the winners and the inclusivity of the event. Neymar congratulated Vinícius on social media, expressing his happiness and encouragement. Real Madrid legend Kaká shared a heartfelt message, emphasizing the pride of the Brazilian football community in Vinícius's achievement. Other notable players like Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham also expressed their admiration and support through social media posts.
Conclusion
The Best FIFA Football Awards 2024 not only celebrated individual excellence but also reinforced the importance of football as a unifying global sport. The event showcased both established stars and emerging talents, reflecting the diverse and dynamic nature of modern football. As the sport continues to evolve, these awards serve as a benchmark for excellence and a platform for recognizing the extraordinary talents that captivate fans worldwide.