Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati wins FIFA award for best women’s player of the year

By The Associated Press on December 17, 2024.

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrate after scoring during a Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atalanta and Real Madrid at the Bergamo's stadium, in Bergamo, Italy, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)

DOHA, Qatar (AP) – Barcelona playmaker Aitana Bonmati continues to dominate the awards for women’s soccer while Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior is about to find out if he’ll be finally getting his hands on a big global player award.

Bonmati won the FIFA award for best women’s player of the year on Tuesday making it back to back prizes at FIFA’s version of the older and more prestigious Ballon d’Or prize.

Bonmati has won the Ballon d’Or for two straight years, and won the Spanish league, Spanish cup and Champions League with Barcelona in 2024.

Vinícius is on an 11-player shortlist for the best men’s player, having been so disappointed to lose out to Manchester City midfielder Rodri for the Ballon d’Or in October that he and his Madrid team snubbed the ceremony in Paris in protest.

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