Vinicius receives award won by Ronaldo, Carlos, Ronaldinho and Casemiro

Vinicius Junior was honoured with the esteemed XXXIII EFE Trophy for being the most outstanding Ibero-American player by the prestigious sports agency. This recognition is for his crucial role in Real Madrid’s season, with an impressive record of double-digit goals and assists, although less silverware than he’s become accustomed to of late.

Vinicius rewarded for Madrid magic

In a ceremony held at Real Madrid Sports City in Valdebebas, Vinicius accepted the award before joining the Brazilian national team for two friendly matches against Guinea and Senegal. As the season came to a close for Real Madrid, this accolade held significant meaning for the young footballer.

Expressing his gratitude, Vinicius stated, “This award holds immense significance for me, as it places me among the great players who have previously received this honour. Being in their company is of utmost importance to me. I aspire to continue performing at this level in the upcoming seasons and throughout my time at Real Madrid. I always strive to be at my best, and being surrounded by such remarkable players is crucial for my continuous growth and development.”

In receiving this award he follows in the footsteps of previous Brazilian winners, including Romario, Ronaldo Nazario, Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, and Casemiro.

Vinicius picks favourite goal

When asked about his favourite goal of the year, Vinicius chose the one he scored in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Manchester City. Playfully, he remarked that goals of that nature, powerful shots from outside the penalty area, were not typically his style.

“I prefer the goal against Manchester City because it occurred in a semi-final and was an extraordinary strike, something I don’t usually do,” he responded.

Looking ahead to the next campaign, Vinicius set lofty aspirations, stating, “We always strive to win every possible title and continue evolving to elevate Real Madrid to the position it deserves, which is to be victorious in all competitions.”

Vinicius became the ninth Real Madrid player to receive the EFE Award for the best Ibero-American player.