Vinícius Júnior is elected the best player in the world by the Spanish newspaper “Marca”
Brazilian beats Real Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham in vote among journalists from around the world; Rodri, current Ballon d’Or winner, comes in third
Brazilian Vinicius Junior was voted the best player in the world for the 2023/24 season in a vote held by Spanish newspaper Marca. He came in ahead of his Real Madrid teammate, England’s Jude Bellingham, who came in second. The current winner of the France Football Ballon d’Or, Manchester City’s Spaniard Rodri, finished third.
The “Marca 100” award is voted on by 122 journalists from around the world, as well as former players and coaches. In its third edition, the Spanish newspaper awarded the Frenchman Karim Benzema (2021/22) and the Norwegian Erling Haaland (2022/23) in previous votes.
His performances last season, in which he scored 24 goals and provided 11 assists, made Vinícius Júnior the favorite for the Ballon d’Or, but the election by France Football, with journalists from 100 countries, awarded Rodri, who finished the season as champion of the European Championship with Spain and was elected the best player of the competition.
“For the 122 members of the ‘Marca 100’ jury, the ten-month season with Real Madrid had more weight than the final month with the national teams. Vinícius did not shine with Brazil (in the Copa América), as he did with Real Madrid, the opposite of what happened, for example, with Rodri, who was named the best player at the Euros. However, Vinícius was elected as the best player of the season, rewarding his consistency”, says an excerpt from the “Marca” report on the award.
In addition to Vini Jr., three other Brazilians are among the 100 players chosen as the best of last season: Savinho, now at Manchester City, was in 27th place for his performances for Girona; Raphinha, from Barcelona, was 58th; and Igor Thiago, from Club Brugge, finished in 97th place.
See the top ten in the “Os 100 do Marca” election:
- Vinicius Junior, BRA (Real Madrid)
- Jude Bellingham, ING (Real Madrid)
- Rodri, ESP (Manchester City)
- Lamine Yamal, ESP (Barcelona)
- Dani Carvajal, ESP (Real Madrid)
- Erling Haaland, NOR (Manchester City)
- Toni Kroos, GER (Real Madrid)
- Kylian Mbappé, FRA (Real Madrid)
- Florian Wirtz, GER (Bayer Leverkusen)
- Harry Kane, ING (Bayern Munich)
