Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr has delivered a powerful message to his critics after being named the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year on Tuesday, following his Ballon d’Or snub earlier this year.
The Brazilian forward, who played a crucial role in Real Madrid’s LaLiga and Champions League triumphs last season, was visibly emotional as he received the award in Doha.
His 24 goals in 39 appearances for Los Blancos during the 2023-24 campaign underscored his impact on the pitch, yet he had been controversially overlooked for the Ballon d’Or, which was awarded to Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
After missing out in October, Vinicius took to social media, writing, “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready.” On Tuesday, his determination paid off as he claimed the FIFA Best trophy, a rival accolade to the Ballon d’Or, first introduced in 2017.
Reflecting on his achievement, Vinicius shared a heartfelt post on Instagram:
“Today I write to that boy who saw so many idols lift this trophy… his time has come. Or rather, my time has come. The time to say… yes, I am the best player in the world and I fought hard for it.
“They tried and still try to invalidate me, to diminish me. But they are not prepared. No one will tell me who I should fight for, how I should behave. When I was in São Gonçalo, the system didn’t care for me. I was almost swallowed.
“I won for myself, for my family. With a lot of support along the way: Flamengo, Real Madrid, Brazilian National Team, my hundreds of teammates over the years… the people who accompany me daily in my routine, those who admire me… THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD.” he added