In an emotional ceremony, Vinicius Junior, the talented Brazilian striker from Real Madrid, was honored with the prestigious Socrates Prize for his commitment to a Brazilian foundation helping young children in precarious situations. Dressed in an original costume to say the least, Vinicius was warmly applauded by the audience for his dedication to this noble cause.
The Socrates Prize, established the previous year, is named after the famous Brazilian international footballer, who was also a prominent doctor. This distinction rewards a player who is actively involved in social or charitable projects. In 2022, it was Sadio Mané who was the very first winner of this prize, rewarded for his commitment to Senegal, where he notably contributed to the construction of schools and hospitals.
This year, the nominees to succeed the former Liverpool player were Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona), Alex Morgan (San Diego), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), and Vinicius Junior. All these athletes have created institutes or foundations in their country of origin in order to reduce social inequalities and provide children with optimal conditions to play football.
Jude Bellingham, Winner of the Kopa Trophy!
Eden Hazard, with a touch of uncertainty, opened the envelope to announce that the winner of the Kopa Trophy was Jude Bellingham! This prestigious honor highlights Bellingham’s outstanding performance and notable contributions to the world of football.
FC Barcelona, Voted Best Women’s Club of the Year!
Without much surprise, FC Barcelona won the title of best women’s team of the year. Barcelona’s players had an exceptional season, winning the championship, the Spanish Super Cup and the Champions League. A memorable year for the Catalans who, to top it off, could see their star player, Aitana Bonmati, win the Women’s Ballon d’Or in the next few minutes. A sequel to follow with great interest. The people of Barcelona fully deserve this well-deserved recognition, don’t they?
