Vinicius Junior revelled in a coronation at The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony on Tuesday that "seemed impossible" when he joined Real Madrid. (More Football News)
♓The Madrid and Brazil winger was recognised at the annual event as The Best FIFA Men's Player for 2024.
💞Vinicius had lost out on this year's Ballon d'Or to Rodri, snubbing the ceremony after he learned of the Manchester City man's triumph.
🌜The player's Madrid colleagues also boycotted the Ballon d'Or, with the club describing the decision as "disrespectful", but there was a very different mood in Doha on Tuesday.
൩Vinicius took the top award as boss Carlo Ancelotti was named The Best FIFA Men's Coach.
ꩵAnd the 24-year-old credited Ancelotti as he reflected on his development in Spain over the past six and a half years 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.
𝓀"I want to continue playing for Real Madrid for a long time; it is the best club in the world."
꧅In an apparent dig at the Ballon d'Or voting process, FIFA president Gianni Infantino added in support of 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."
🃏Vinicius' frustration at failing to take France Football's top prize came off the back of a season in which he led Madrid to LaLiga and Champions League glory.
𝄹He scored 24 goals in all competitions, the last of which came in a 2-0 European final victory over Borussia Dortmund.
♊Speaking earlier on Tuesday, team-mate Jude Bellingham said of 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."
