Young Vasco da Gama supporter suffers from rare genetic condition and has won the hearts of a nation.
Guilherme Gandra Moura, the courageous young Vasco da Gama supporter who captured the hearts of Brazilian football, has won The FIFA Fan Award 2024.
Last June, eight-year-old ‘Gui’, who suffers from a rare genetic condition known as epidermolysis bullosa, was placed into a coma after falling ill with pneumonia. He awoke after 16 days, with the video of him and his mother reuniting quickly going viral.
The young Brazilian is a devoted fan of Vasco da Gama and was aided on his recovery trail by the club’s then star player Gabriel Pec, who visited him regularly in hospital. Once Gui was able to leave hospital, he was introduced to the rest of the squad and was chosen as a mascot for a game in August 2023.
Gui has also won affection from fans across the country, including those from Vasco’s arch-rivals, Flamengo and Fluminense.
The FIFA Fan Award was launched in 2016 and celebrates an exceptional expression of commitment from a fan or group of fans irrespective of league, gender or nationality. The prize can also be awarded for a moment or gesture which struck a chord with the football world.
How The FIFA Fan Award winner was decided
The three finalists were selected by a panel composed of FIFA Legends and football experts.
The winner was then decided by a public vote on FIFA’s official website.
Each voter made their first, second and third choices for the winner, with points awarded to each nominee depending on where they were ranked (five points for first place, three for second, one for third)
The Best FIFA Fan Award was then given to the finalist with the highest final score.
If finalists are tied on points, the award will be bestowed on the individual who has received the most first-choice selections.