Vinicius and Ancelotti Win The Best Awards

Brazilian star Vinicius Júnior and Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti claimed the titles of Best Player and Best Coach in the world at the 2024 The Best Awards held in Doha.

Real Madrid achieved a clean sweep at The Best Awards. Vinicius Júnior was honored on Tuesday as the world's best player.

Vini Jr., a pivotal figure in Real Madrid's successful season—including victories in the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, and both the UEFA and Spanish Super Cups—stands on the brink of claiming the Intercontinental Cup. He is the first Brazilian player to receive this recognition after finishing second just weeks ago in the Ballon d'Or, behind Spanish star Rodri Hernández.

"It seemed so distant that reaching this point felt impossible, and it's incredibly important for me. I grew up witnessing poverty and crime, and achieving this proves to many children that anything is possible," Vinicius stated during his acceptance speech.

Read more: Vinicius Jr. Wins FIFA The Best Award

Vinicius also paid tribute to key figures in his career who have helped him in his journey to becoming the world’s best footballer. "I want to thank everyone who voted for me—coaches, players, and journalists. I also want to express my gratitude to my family, who sacrificed their dreams so I could pursue mine and reach this milestone today," he said, holding the award as he collected it in person, taking advantage of Real Madrid's presence in Doha for the Intercontinental Cup final.

"I also thank President Florentino Pérez, José Ángel (Sánchez, the club's executive director), and coach Carlo Ancelotti, who has always supported me. Moreover, a shoutout to Juni (Calafat, head of scouting) for believing in me when I was just 16. I have shown I can make a difference and achieve great things during the season. I want to continue playing for a long time for Real Madrid, the best club in the world, and I also thank Flamengo and all my Brazilian national teammates," he concluded.

Vinicius now takes over the mantle from Argentine Leo Messi, who won the award in the previous two editions and holds the record with three, one more than Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo and Polish Robert Lewandowski.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti has also been named the Best Coach in the world in Doha.

Ancelotti led the Madrid team to victory in the Champions League, La Liga, and both the UEFA and Spanish Super Cups, and could further elevate his accolades by claiming the Intercontinental Cup against Mexico's Pachuca on Wednesday.

"I see many familiar faces from players I have coached here. It’s a great honor to receive this recognition from FIFA. I want to share this award with my club, with my president Florentino Pérez, who gave me the opportunity to be the coach of the best club in the world, and with my players who sometimes listen to me, at least occasionally," he joked while accepting the trophy.

"I thank my family, and my wife for giving me peace and love, which are essential in this job. I have spent 48 years in football, which has given me many emotions, both positive and negative, but that is the main reason I am still alive in this sport after so many years," he added.

This is the first time the Italian has received this accolade, taking over from Spanish coach Pep Guardiola, just weeks after being awarded the Johan Cruyff trophy at the Ballon d'Or. Ancelotti becomes the first Italian manager to win this prize since Claudio Ranieri in 2016, following a second-place finish in 2022.

The inclusion of Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, Toni Kroos, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Junior in the best XI of the 2023-24 season reflects Real Madrid's recognition at the FIFA The Best Awards, featured alongside Spanish stars Rodri Hernández and Lamine Yamal.

Real Madrid, who claimed four titles last season—with EA Sports La Liga and the UEFA Champions League being the highlights—dominated the ideal team votes at The Best Awards.

The ideal lineup included: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa-Argentina); Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid-Spain), Ruben Dias (Portugal-Manchester City), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid-Germany), William Saliba (France-Arsenal); Rodri (Spain-Manchester City), Toni Kroos (Germany-Real Madrid), Jude Bellingham (England-Real Madrid); Erling Haaland (Norway-Manchester City), Lamine Yamal (Spain-Barcelona), and Vinicius Junior (Brazil-Real Madrid).