News
Why Vinicius Jr Emerged As Fifa Best Men’s Player Of The Year
Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Jr has been named the men’s player of the year at the Fifa Best Awards.
The 24-year-old and his club boycotted the recent Ballon d’Or ceremony after missing out to Manchester City’s Rodri – but he picked up this prize in Doha.
Vinicius played a key role in Real’s Champions League and La Liga-winning campaign in 2023-24, scoring 24 goals and providing 11 assists.
Earlier in the ceremony, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati was named the women’s player of the year for the second year in a row.
This was the first time Vinicius has won the award and capped a happier finish to the season than October’s Ballon d’Or boycott.
“It seemed impossible when I played barefoot in the streets of Sao Goncalo and now I’m here,” Vinicius said.

The Ballon d’Or and Fifa Best Awards are the two most prestigious in football.
This was Vinicius’ first Fifa prize, with Lionel Messi winning the previous two awards and Robert Lewandowski the two before that.
The award – for football from August 2023 to August 2024 – was decided by a mix of public vote, one journalist from each country and the captain and manager of each national team. Each group’s vote counted for 25%.
Real Madrid were already in Qatar for Wednesday’s Fifa Intercontinental Cup final against Mexican side Pachuca at Lusail Stadium.
Spain’s Euro 2024-winning midfielder Rodri finished second to Vinicius for the award, while Real’s England player Jude Bellingham was third.
Fifa has released details on who each coach and captain voted for.
England skipper Harry Kane opted for Rodri, with international team-mate Bellingham second and Vinicius third.
Lee Carsley, who was the Three Lions’ interim boss when the votes were cast, went for Bellingham, Rodri and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal in that order.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke and Wales manager Craig Bellamy both opted for Rodri as their top pick.
Wales skipper Aaron Ramsey went for Vinicius, while Northern Ireland captain Paddy McNair voted for Rodri.
Brazil’s captain and manager voted for Vinicius, but their Spanish counterparts both selected Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal.
Team of the year – Martinez, Dias, Saliba, Rodri, Haaland make cut
There were five Premier League players in the men’s team of the year, to go with five from Real Madrid (including the retired Toni Kroos) and one from Barcelona.
The players selected were Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Jude Bellingham, Kroos (all Real Madrid), Rodri, Erling Haaland (both Man City), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) and Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid).
Martinez was named goalkeeper of the year after helping Argentina win the Copa America.
The 32-year-old has now won the best goalkeeper award twice at each of the Ballon d’Or and Fifa Best awards.
Garnacho stunner wins Puskas Award
The Puskas Award for the best men’s goal of the year was won by Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho for his sensational bicycle kick in their 3-0 win at Everton in November 2023.
Mohammed Kudus’ fine solo goal for West Ham in the Europa League against Freiburg was also nominated.
Until this season the award covered all football but a new Marta Award now covers the women’s game.
“I’m very proud to win this award,” said Argentine Garnacho in a pre-recorded interview.
“It’s a proud moment for me and my family. It was a special goal and I will always remember it.”
Ancelotti named coach of the year
The coach of the year was Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti, who led the Spanish giants to the Champions League and La Liga titles last season.
The 65-year-old Italian won the award, which has been running since 2016, for the first time.
“I want to share this with the club, with my president and with my players, those of the best club in the world,” Ancelotti said.
Ancelotti also won the equivalent award at the Ballon d’Or – meaning Xabi Alonso was not recognised in either for leading Bayer Leverkusen to their first German double.
Most of the previous winners at the Fifa Best Awards have been Premier League bosses – Claudio Ranieri, Jurgen Klopp (twice), Thomas Tuchel and last year Pep Guardiola.
News
Roy Keane Blasts ‘Frightened’ Manchester United After West Ham Draw
Manchester United thought they had the job wrapped up at Old Trafford… until they didn’t.
Diogo Dalot’s tidy finish just before the hour mark looked like the moment that would push the Red Devils to a much-needed victory. But in classic 2025 Manchester United fashion, control slipped, intensity dipped, and West Ham pounced.
And of course—when things go wrong—Roy Keane is never far from the verbal action.
“They Weren’t Nasty Enough!” – Keane Fires Shots
After the 1-1 draw, Keane wasted zero time calling out what he sees as the real issue at United: timidity.
According to him, United “took their foot off the gas” right after scoring. Against a team in the bottom three, he expected more authority, more aggression, and definitely more hunger.
Instead, what he saw was a team “almost frightened” of finishing the job.
He slammed the players for hiding when pressure kicked in, criticized their lack of killer instinct, and even called out the relaxed body language during substitutions.
In typical Keane fashion, the message was simple:
United should never be this soft.
Amorim Also Frustrated: “The Game Was Ours To Win”
Manager Ruben Amorim didn’t sugarcoat anything either.
While he didn’t go full-Keane, he admitted:
-
United lost control after scoring
-
They failed to win second balls
-
They should have killed the match earlier
-
The inconsistency is becoming a real problem
For a team chasing European places, three draws in five games simply isn’t good enough.
West Ham Deserved Their Point
To be fair, West Ham didn’t just sit back and wait. They fought, pressed, countered, and eventually got their reward when Soungoutou Magassa slotted home the 83rd-minute equaliser.
United had late chances, but the story of their season resurfaced again:
moments created, moments wasted.
Where Do United Go From Here?
Sitting eighth on the table, United’s inconsistency continues to be their biggest opponent. Keane believes the team lacks bite. Amorim believes the team lacks control.
Fans believe the team lacks… well, everything except drama.
What’s clear is this: until United find their identity and intensity, nights like this will keep happening.
Want To Advertise With Us?
Email: sales@ventolitemarketing.com
Local News
Beckham Joins Bellingham & Trent to Unveil Retro Gunmetal Adidas Predator Mania
Beckham Links Up With The New Generation
Adidas just pulled off the ultimate fusion of eras — pairing Real Madrid legend David Beckham with modern-day stars Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold to unveil the new throwback Predator Mania Gunmetal.
The visual alone is powerful:
Beckham, the man who helped define the Predator legacy, standing alongside the players shaping a new generation at the Santiago Bernabéu.
It’s nostalgia meeting modern football culture in the cleanest way possible.
How Beckham & Zidane Made The Predator A Cultural Icon
In the 2000s, football boots had personalities — and none louder than the Predator.
Thanks to players like:
-
David Beckham
-
Zinedine Zidane
-
Steven Gerrard
…the Predator brand became more than footwear — it became a symbol of confidence, control, and creativity.
Beckham’s signature whip-your-free-kick technique and the unforgettable fold-over tongue made Predator Mania one of the most legendary boots ever created.
And now in 2025, it’s back — reborn with purpose.
A Historic Gunmetal Colourway Returns
The 2025 Predator Mania comes in a stunning Gunmetal grey, blending early-2000s nostalgia with fresh modern flair.
Adidas describes it as:
-
“Metallic, polished and aggressive”
-
Featuring crisp white Three Stripes
-
And the iconic red fold-over tongue — embroidered and unapologetically bold
Beckham famously wore this colourway during his early Real Madrid days.
It quickly became a cult favourite, often called “one of the most photogenic boots of its era.”
Now it’s back — and it looks better than ever.
Engineered For Today’s Game
While the look is faithful, adidas didn’t simply remake the past — they improved it.
The 2025 Predator Mania is crafted in the historic Scheinfeld factory in Germany, the birthplace of many legendary Predator lines.
Key enhancements include:
-
Upgraded comfort
-
Subtle structural refinement
-
Increased responsiveness
-
Modern fit for today’s style of play
In short:
Old-school swagger meets high-performance engineering.
Back On The Bernabéu Grass
The revival feels even more fitting because two current Real Madrid stars — Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold — will bring the Gunmetal Mania back to the Santiago Bernabéu pitch.
From Beckham’s free-kick artistry to Bellingham’s midfield dominance and Trent’s laser passing…
the Predator legacy remains in elite company.
Adidas couldn’t have scripted a better generational handover.
Want To Advertise With Us?
News
Galatasaray Vs Samsunspor: Can Cimbom Break Samsunspor’s Unbeaten Run In A Heated Super Lig Clash?
-
In The Other News3 days agoDollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today, December 2, 2025
-
Premier League1 day agoArne Slot Explains Bold Salah Decision As Liverpool Drop Points Against Sunderland
-
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE2 days agoChampions League Top Scorers 2025-26: Mbappe, Haaland, Osimhen Lead The Golden Boot Race
-
Serie A3 days agoDele Alli Sent Trial Warning After Scary Fall From Grace As Ex-Tottenham Midfielder Faces Slim Opportunities
-
Premier League3 days agoChloe Kelly: How England’s Euros Hero Found Herself Back On The Arsenal Bench And Down The Lionesses Pecking Order
-
LaLiga3 days agoStop the Messi Comparisons: Yamal Faces Dangerous Pressure
-
World Cup 20262 days agoFIFA To Expand VAR Rules For The 2026 World Cup With New Corner-Kick Reviews
-
AFCON 20252 days agoAFCON 2025: Chelle Names 5 Misfiring Strikers in Super Eagles 54-Man List