Best of 2024 Awards: Best Player, Best Manager, Team of the Year & More | OneFootball

The end of the year is on the horizon, which means it is time to piece together the Football Today Best of 2024 Awards.

Before we get stuck in, it is worth noting that our picks won’t please everyone. If you disagree with our selections, please email wearenotbothered@gmail.com.

Now we’ve got that little bit of housekeeping out of the way, let’s delve into our 2024 award winners, starting with a player who is destined to become an all-time great.

Best Player – Vinicius Jr

Vinicius Junior spearheaded Real Madrid’s charge to the La Liga and Champions League titles in 2023/24 to cement his status as one of the world’s best players.

The 24-year-old has continued in the same vein this season, and it would be no surprise if he helps Madrid add more major silverware to their tally in 2025.

His achievements gain further merit given the disgraceful racist abuse he often faces in La Liga. The knuckleheads who resort to such nonsense should be ashamed of themselves.

Best Manager – Xabi Alonso

Several managers could have scooped this accolade, but Xabi Alonso’s achievements with Bayer Leverkusen give him the edge.

Bayern Munich had won eleven Bundesliga titles in a row heading into last season, but Alonso knocked them off their perch with Leverkusen.

The Spaniard was subsequently linked with Liverpool but wisely decided to stay in Germany. He is destined to manage Madrid and will be hugely successful there.

Best Team

Every team which won major silverware in 2024 could lay claim to this award. However, we’re going to throw a curve ball with this one.

Ipswich Town’s remarkable march to promotion from the Championship to the Premier League was unquestionably THE story of the year.

The Tractor Boys had climbed out of League One during the previous campaign and were tipped to struggle, but defied the odds to reach the top flight.

Best International Team

Spain were hugely impressive at the 2024 European Championship, and their performances give them the edge over Copa America winners Argentina.

They dazzled on their way to the final before securing a 2-1 victory over highly touted England to clinch the trophy for the fourth time.

Spain have continued their imperious form since then and are a good bet to add to their Euro success by winning the 2026 World Cup.

Best Goal

There have been plenty of screamers and net-busters during 2024. However, this masterclass in passing by Blackburn Rovers is the best goal of the year:

Controlled passing, brilliant movement in the final third and a clinical finish. Straight out of the Pep Guardiola playbook!

Team of the Year

Some Liverpool fans got a little uppity because they weren’t represented in this team last year. Feel free to use the email in the intro if you are triggered by this line-up.

Simon was superb for Spain at Euro 2024, which makes him a nailed-on starter in goal. Full-backs Frimpong and Dimarco played key roles in their team’s title successes.

Saliba and Gabriel have forged a brilliant partnership at Arsenal and are worthy of inclusion as the centre-back pairing.

Caicedo has developed into the midfielder Declan Rice wishes he could be and adds some muscle in the middle of the park.

Odegaard and Palmer have been superb for their respective clubs and complete a midfield trio which could rip opponents to pieces.

Yamal has had an excellent year for club and country, while Lewandowski and Vinicius Jr round off a fabulous attacking triumvirate.

Best Moment

Spain winning the Euros? Excellent. Manchester City clinching their fourth successive Premier League title? Splendid. These and other achievements pale into insignificance alongside our best moment of 2024.

Referee David Coote unquestionably deserves this prestigious accolade for his expletive-laden rant about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Yes, it cost him his job. However, there’s not a football fan outside of Liverpool and their globally-based glory hunters who think Coote was wrong.