Romario, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaka all inspired Vinicius Junior to end a 17-year wait for a Brazilian to be crowned as the world’s best male player by FIFA.
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Vinicius Junior has been named The Best FIFA Men’s Player for 2024
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He is the first Brazilian since 2007 to be crowned by FIFA as the globe’s leading male footballer
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We take a look back through the five Brazilians who came before him
The last time a Brazilian was crowned as the world’s best male player by FIFA, WhatsApp and Instagram didn’t exist, I Am Legend, starring Will Smith, was in cinemas and Netflix had only just started it’s transition from a DVD-rental company into a streaming titan.
It was, indeed, all the way back in 2007 when Kaka was crowned by FIFA, beating rising stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who joined him on the podium that year. Now, 17 years later, Vinicius Junior has claimed the prestigious The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2024.
With this announcement, FIFA takes a journey through time to remember the other Brazilian greats who have been honoured.
1994 – Romario
The first Brazilian to be named as the world’s best male player by FIFA was Romario in 1994. It was undoubtedly the year of ‘O Baixinho’ (The Short One) who shone at the 1994 FIFA World Cup™ in the United States, leading Brazil to their fourth title with five goals and an unforgettable strike pairing with Bebeto. He also stood out for Barcelona, forming one of the most iconic partnerships of the time alongside Hristo Stoichkov.
1996 – Ronaldo
Although he was registered as Ronaldo Nazario on his identity card, anyone who saw him play called him Ronaldo ‘Fenômeno’ (Phenomenon). Following in the footsteps of Romario – who had also left PSV for Barcelona – the 20-year-old striker completely enthralled everyone in 1996 with his explosiveness, speed, dribbling and finishing. A global sensation was born.
1997 – Ronaldo
One of the most complete players in history, combining strength, technique and precision. Ronaldo ended his spell at Barcelona in 1996/97 with 34 goals in 37 games and the UEFA Golden Boot. He then moved to Inter Milan, bringing a deluge of goals to the city. He finished 1997 off with 14 strikes in 19 games for the Nerazzurri, and also led Brazil to the CONMEBOL Copa America title on Bolivian soil.
1999 – Rivaldo
After two consecutive La Liga titles, Rivaldo duly gained global recognition in 1999. His playmaking ability, millimetre-precise passes and spectacular goals were instrumental to Barcelona and the Brazilian national team, which once again won the Copa America – where Rivaldo and Romario shared the spoils as leading scorer with five goals each.
2002 – Ronaldo
Overcoming serious injuries and frustration in the previous edition of the World Cup, Ronaldo returned to the top of the world after leading Brazil to its fifth title in Korea/Japan with an unsurpassed eight goals.
2004 – Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho began his reign as the world’s best thanks to his magical performances for Barcelona. With his bewildering dribbling, magical goals and vision, O Bruxo (The Wizard) became the maestro of a team that was getting back on its feet in European football. The truth is that ‘R10’, as he was also known, captivated fans and opponents with his joy on the pitch, and became another symbol of the beautiful Brazilian game.
2005 – Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho claimed the award once more a year later, solidifying his status as a generational icon. In 2005, Barcelona won both the UEFA Champions League and La Liga, with the Wizard delivering unforgettable performances, such as in the 3-0 victory over Real Madrid, which brought the rival fans to their feet at the Santiago Bernabeu.
2007 – Kaka
Calm yet explosive, Kaka was the named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2007 thanks to an exceptional season for AC Milan, in which he was their top scorer with ten goals and the standout player of the Champions League. Wearing the now-legendary number 22 shirt, he was particularly influential with goals in the semi-final win over Manchester United and a perfect assist for Filippo Inzaghi’s goal in the final against Liverpool.
