Cristiano Ronaldo took to Instagram to praise his fellow Brazilian Vinicius Jr for being named The Best FIFA Men's Player, becoming the first Brazilian to win the award in 16 years. Ronaldo hailed Vinicius as a "symbol of resistance and resilience" not just for his on-field talent, but also for his ongoing battle against racism. Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti also received an award at the ceremony, stating that football has given him "a lot of emotions" throughout his 48-year-long career.
Vinicius Jr. Crowned FIFA's Best Men's Player
In a historic moment, Vinicius Jr. has become the first Brazilian to win FIFA's Best Men's Player award in 16 years. The Real Madrid star received high praise from his fellow Brazilian, Cristiano Ronaldo, who hailed him as a symbol of "resistance and resilience" both on and off the field.
Vinicius Jr.'s award is a testament to his exceptional talent and the challenges he has overcome. The 22-year-old has been a key player for Real Madrid, helping them win the UEFA Champions League and La Liga in the past year. However, he has also been the target of racist abuse, which he has bravely spoken out against.
Ronaldo's Praise
In an Instagram post, Ronaldo said: "Congratulations Vinicius Jr. for winning the Best FIFA Men's Player Award. You are a symbol of resistance and resilience, not only for your on-field talent, but also for your ongoing battle against racism. Keep inspiring us all."
Ancelotti's Recognition
Real Madrid's head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, also received an award at the ceremony. He was named FIFA's Best Men's Coach after guiding Real Madrid to a record-breaking season. Ancelotti said that football has given him "a lot of emotions" throughout his long career.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Who is Vinicius Jr.? Vinicius Jr. is a 22-year-old Brazilian winger who plays for Real Madrid. He is known for his exceptional speed, dribbling skills, and goal-scoring ability.
2. Why did Vinicius Jr. win FIFA's Best Men's Player Award? Vinicius Jr. won the award based on his outstanding performances for Real Madrid and his contributions to the fight against racism.
3. Who is Cristiano Ronaldo? Cristiano Ronaldo is a 38-year-old Portuguese forward who is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He has won five Ballon d'Or awards and numerous other accolades.
4. Why is Vinicius Jr. a symbol of resistance and resilience? Vinicius Jr. has been targeted by racist abuse throughout his career, but he has refused to be silenced. He has spoken out against racism and has become a role model for others who face similar challenges.
5. What is the significance of Ancelotti's award? Ancelotti's award recognizes his remarkable success with Real Madrid. He has won the Champions League four times and the La Liga title three times.
Ahead of Game 3 of the Lakers' first-round playoff series and their first road game of the postseason against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Lakers coach JJ Redick shared his thoughts on the experience of playing in hostile environments. He described the thrill of silencing and even ruining the day of opposing fans who pay top dollar to watch their team, and the satisfaction that comes with winning on the road in the playoffs. Redick, known for his competitive and relentless nature, emphasized the unique allure of such moments outside of potentially winning a championship.
It was a historic night at Chepauk, as Sunrisers Hyderabad finally defeated Chennai Super Kings at their home ground after six failed attempts. CSK's fortress is now crumbling, with four home losses this season which matches their worst record in 2008 and 2012. SRH's win was fueled by a spectacular catch from Kusal Mendis, which turned the game in their favor and left CSK struggling for any hope of making it to the playoffs. Meanwhile, MS Dhoni's quest to create history in the CSK vs SRH match remained unfulfilled as SRH came out victorious.
Deepak Hooda, who was bought by CSK for INR 1.7 crore at the IPL 2024 mega auction, drew criticism from fans for his sluggish knock of 22 runs off 21 balls in their IPL 2025 match against SRH. This was following his poor performance in the previous three games for the team. Despite his overall record of 1494 runs in the IPL, Hooda's strike rate and consistency have been questioned by fans. Meanwhile, Harshal Patel's 4/28 helped SRH restrict CSK to 154, with debutants Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre contributing 42 and 30 runs, respectively.
In a thrilling IPL match, Sunrisers Hyderabad registered their first victory at the Chepauk by defeating Chennai Super Kings by five wickets. Harshal Patel's four-wicket haul and Ishan Kishan's fighting knock of 44 led the Sunrisers to victory. Captain Pat Cummins was relieved after the win and praised the team's clinical bowling performance. CSK could only manage 154 runs, thanks to brisk knocks from Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre, and SRH easily chased down the target, fixing their poor record against CSK.
Former AEW star returns to WWE after four years, making an impressive and impactful entrance during SmackDown. After being released by WWE in 2021, Black debuted in AEW as Malakai Black and gained popularity with the fan-favorite faction, House of Black. Now, Black is back in WWE and fans are excited to see what he can bring to the ring.
Indian Olympic javelin champion, Neeraj Chopra, defends his decision to invite Pakistani athlete, Arshad Nadeem, to compete in the upcoming NC Classic event in India. Despite receiving backlash and even threats towards himself and his family, Chopra stands by his invitation and expresses disappointment in the doubting of his loyalty and integrity to his country. He also voices his thoughts and prayers for the victims of a recent terrorist attack in Kashmir.
Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has faced criticism and hate for inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru. Neeraj clarified that the invitation was sent before the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and was solely based on Arshad's status as an Olympic gold medallist. He also stated that, in light of the tragedy, Arshad's participation in the event was no longer possible.
After a string of home defeats, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally emerged victorious at the Chinnaswamy Stadium against the Rajasthan Royals, thanks to their captain Virat Kohli and a strong bowling unit. Kohli's unbeaten 70 runs and intense celebrations on the field reflected the high-stakes nature of the match, which saw both teams giving it their all. With this win, RCB moves up to the third spot on the league table with six wins in nine games.
India's star javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra, has spoken up about the criticism he received for inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to compete in the Neeraj Chopra Classic event. Despite declining the invitation, Nadeem's presence at the event was deemed inappropriate following the recent terror attacks in Pahalgam. Chopra clarified that the invitation was sent well before the attacks and expressed his love for his country and family amidst the backlash. He also addressed the false narratives being spread about him and his family and vowed to continue representing India with pride and integrity.
Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood's brilliant performance against Rajasthan Royals' batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal caught the attention of viewers during an IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals. In an intense competition, Hazlewood was able to dismiss Jaiswal just shy of a half-century, leading to a heated exchange between the two players. Hazlewood's final figures of 4 for 33 played a critical role in RCB's narrow 11-run victory.