Real Madrid Stars Shine Bright: FIFA Honors Bellingham, Vinicius Jr., and Courtois at The Best Ceremony

FIFA representatives Mattias Grafström and Arsene Wenger recently visited Real Madrid City at Valdebebas to present midfielder Jude Bellingham, attacker Vinicius Junior, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with their FIFPRO World 11 awards. These accolades were earned by the players at The Best ceremony held in January, where they were voted into the world’s best lineup by professional footballers worldwide.

Bellingham and Vinicius were both making their debut appearances on the World 11 list, a testament to their exceptional performances during the 2022-2023 season. On the other hand, Courtois’ inclusion in the lineup marked his second consecutive year being recognized for his outstanding contributions to the sport.

After receiving his award, Bellingham engaged in a warm and lengthy conversation with former Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger, adding a personal touch to the special occasion. Real Madrid has been diligently preparing for their upcoming match against Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League Quarterfinals, utilizing the week off to fine-tune their strategies and tactics.

With Saturday’s Copa del Rey Final between Athletic Bilbao and Mallorca providing a brief respite, Real Madrid is focused and determined to put their best foot forward in the Champions League clash. The visit from FIFA representatives and the recognition bestowed upon these talented players only serves to motivate them further as they gear up for the high-stakes match ahead.