Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí has won the FIFA women’s player of the year award for the second consecutive time.
Brazil and Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior claimed the men’s award.
Bonmatí became the sixth woman to win FIFA’s top award on more than once occasion.
She added the gong to the women’s Ballon d’Or she claimed for the second straight year in October.
Bonmatí tallied 52 voting points, finishing ahead of Zambia’s Barbra Banda (39 points) and Norway’s Caroline Graham Hansen (37).
The 26-year-old helped her club to a domestic treble last season in a campaign in which Barcelona also retained the Champions League.
Bonmatí scored in the semifinal and final when Spain won the Nations League in February.
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“I’m very grateful for this award, but I always say that this is a team effort, with a Barca [team] that won everything and the national team,” Bonmatí said.
Vinícius scored 24 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions to help Real Madrid clinch the LaLiga and Champions League double.
He also netted in Real Madrid’s Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund.
The Brazilian won the FIFA award ahead of Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri and his teammate at Real, England’s Jude Bellingham.
“It seemed impossible when I played barefoot in the streets of Sao Goncalo and now I’m here,” Vinícius said.
Emma Hayes won the best women’s coach award, having taken the United States to the gold medal at this year’s Paris Olympics.
She also guided Chelsea to the Women’s Super League title last season, her fifth successive league win with the club.
Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti won the best men’s coach award after the Italian led his club to the league and Champions League double last season.
Reuters
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