Christiano ronaldo

THE BEST PLAYER IN THE: Portuguese legend Christiano Ronaldo hailed ex-Real Madrid compatriot Vinicius Junior as a "symbol of resistance and resilience" after the Brazilian won The Best FIFA Men’s Player at a star-studded awards ceremony in Doha, Qatar.

Vini Jr scored Real Madrid’s second goal in the final – one of 24 strikes in 39 competitive club appearances in the 2023-24 season – as the Spanish club claimed a record-extending 15th UEFA Champions League title in June. He was also part of the Brazil squad that reached the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America quarter-finals in the USA and added the La Liga title, the Supercopa de Espana and the UEFA Super Cup to the European crown en route to succeeding FIFA World Cup 2022 winner Lionel Messi as The Best FIFA Men’s Player.

"It has been 16 years since the last time the trophy for the best player in the world came to Brazil. Now deservedly in Vini's hands, it means much more than his decisive role in the games and the extraordinary numbers in the 2023/24 season. His talent would be enough to win the award, but his power goes far beyond the field," Ronaldo wrote on Instagram.