- Vinicius Jr is hoping to be selected by fellow professionals for the 2023 FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11
- The Brazilian’s boundless attacking ability has been crucial for Real Madrid
- In February 2023 he was chosen as the FIFA Club World Cup’s best player
Vinicius Jr is the type of player that captivates lovers of the beautiful game. Explosive, a great dribbler of the ball, with the ability to score important goals, this Brazilian ace belongs to the elite of world sport, despite his youth. The logical consequence is that his professional colleagues have put him on the verge of joining the FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11.
The votes of professional footballers all over the world have decreed that Vini Jr is on the shortlist of 23 finalists for the 2023 team of the year, which on this occasion rewards individual performances from 19 December 2022 and 20 August 2023 inclusive.
There will be three forwards chosen for the World 11, with the possibility of a fourth if the player with the most votes after the 10 selected — one goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards — also plays as an attacker.
Along with Vinicius, the forward candidates are Karim Benzema, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Vini Jr in 2023
The year began for Vinicius with the runner-up position in the Spanish Super Cup, but things soon improved for the Real Madrid No7 when his side were crowned champions of the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup, played in Morocco in February 2023. And Vinicius was voted best player of the tournament.
His influence on winning the title was crucial: a goal in the semi-final against Al-Ahly — as well as being awarded a penalty — and two goals plus an assist in the final against Al-Hilal.
The same was true in the second championship won by Real: the Copa del Rey. Los Blancos beat Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals, Barcelona in the semi-finals and Osasuna in the final. In all these decisive matches, Vini made his mark.
He settled the Madrid derby in extra time with an assist and a goal, opened the scoring in the historic 4-0 victory over Barça at the Camp Nou — also providing a goalscoring pass — and assisted Rodrygo in the decisive match against the team from Navarre.
In La Liga — where Real finished as runners-up — Vinicius finished fourth in the goals & assists category with a total of 19.
Individual achievements
- Golden Ball at 2022 FIFA Club World Cup
- Member of 2022/23 La Liga Team of the Season
- Member of 2022/23 Champions League Team of the Season
- 2023 Socrates Prize
Vini Jr in the FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11
This the first time that the 23-year-old Brazilian has managed to get onto the World 11 shortlist, which shows how fierce competition is for a place in the team of the year.
“I’ve been working a lot with specialists on endurance, on more detailed physical preparation for my playing style. All this is very important. I’ve studied rest and diet a lot. This is also part of training. On the technical side, finishing is one of my tasks, and I’ve also been working hard on it.”
— by Vinicius Jr
The football world talks about Vini Jr
"Vinicius is definitely marking an era in Real Madrid and in football in general."
Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid manager
"The fear he instils in the opposing defence is incredible."
Guti, ex-Real Madrid player
"It’s as though he was born wearing a Real Madrid shirt."
Jorge Valdano, ex-Real Madrid forward
When will the 2023 FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11 be known?
The 2023 FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11 will be officially announced at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023, for which the gala will be held in London on Monday 15 January 2024.
It will be made up of the 11 players — out of the 23 included on the final list — who receive the most votes in their position.
