The year is drawing to a close, marking a time for reflection in the world of football, coinciding with the awards ceremony by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).
Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez, who was named Best Goalkeeper of the last season by France Football and FIFA, has returned to the spotlight as he was chosen to be part of the 2024 Ideal XI, standing out as the only Argentine and one of two South Americans included, alongside Brazilian star Vinicius Júnior.
Martínez, a two-time Copa América champion with the national team, anchors a defense predominantly featuring European talents:
Dani Carvajal (Spain), Rúben Dias (Portugal), Antonio Rüdiger (Germany), and Alphonso Davies (Canada).
The midfield is composed of Rodri (Spain), Jude Bellingham (England), and Toni Kroos (Germany), while Vinicius is joined in the attack by Lamine Yamal (Spain) and Erling Haaland (Norway) within a 4-3-3 formation.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi finished fifth in the voting for Best Playmaker of the Year, falling significantly behind winner Jude Bellingham, the English sensation currently with Real Madrid.
Messi garnered 53 points, just one shy of fourth place, occupied by Jamal Musiala from Bayern Munich (54 points).
The Top 3 features Kroos at the pinnacle with 78 points, Kevin De Bruyne in second (96), and former Borussia Dortmund player Bellingham claiming the top spot with an impressive 133 points.
The “Little Flea” has secured five awards throughout his career in this category, amassing a total of 14 IFFHS trophies.
Additionally, Lionel Scaloni was unable to retain his title as Best National Team Coach, awarded in both 2022 and 2023.
This time, the honor went to his mentor, Luis De la Fuente, who led Spain to Euro 2020 glory.
The European tactician boasts a stellar record in youth competitions, which has translated to success with the senior squad of La Roja.
He earned the silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, as well as the 2023 Nations League title, wresting the accolade away from his former protégé after they both attended the same coaching school.
De la Fuente finished with 274 points, well ahead of Scaloni’s 148, with the Frenchman Didier Deschamps rounding out the podium with a mere 35 points.
Argentinian coaches Néstor Lorenzo (Colombia) and Marcelo Bielsa (Uruguay) also made the Top 10.