The Brazilian world-class striker Vinícius Júnior has been named World Footballer of the Year. At the gala dinner of the world association Fifa in Doha, the 24-year-old star was in the service of Real Madrid Successor to superstar Lionel Messi. In October he had to give way to the Spanish European champion Rodri at the Ballon d’Or, which caused great upset at his club Real Madrid. The Ballon d’Or, awarded annually by the French trade magazine France Football is awarded is considered the more prestigious award.
As in the previous year, the Spanish Aitana Bonmatí from Champions League winners FC Barcelona triumphed in the women’s category. The Fifa had only recently announced the scheduling of the award, which took place on the eve of the Intercontinental Cup between Real Madrid and CF Pachuca from Mexico.
German players and the Bundesliga only played a minor role in the award ceremony. The 2014 world champion Toni Kroos, who retired in the summer, and Florian Wirtz from double winner Bayer Leverkusen were on the shortlist of the eleven best players, but did not make it into the top three. Kroos and his former Real colleague, national player Antonio Rüdiger, were at least voted into the team of the year. “This makes the last successful year even more special,” said Kroos in a video message.
