Vinicius Jr. is on the brink of winning the Ballon d’Or 2024, marking a remarkable achievement for the young Brazilian who began his football journey on the streets of São Paulo. The Real Madrid winger aims to eclipse his teammate Jude Bellingham and Manchester City midfielder Rodri for this esteemed accolade.
According to a report from the Spanish publication Marca, France Football, the organization responsible for awarding the prestigious Ballon d’Or, has informed Vinicius of his impending victory. The 24-year-old played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s triumph in the UEFA Champions League last season, scoring in the final against Borussia Dortmund, a performance that solidified his status as one of the world’s best players.
Vinicius will officially receive the Ballon d’Or in a ceremony scheduled for October 28 in Paris. Coincidentally, Real Madrid is set to face their arch-rivals, FC Barcelona, just a day prior, after which Vinicius will travel to France to accept the highest individual honor of his career.
In a celebratory nod to his achievement, the Nike store on Gran Via in Madrid plans to pay tribute to Vinicius, adding him to the illustrious list of Real Madrid legends such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, and Karim Benzema, who have also secured this prestigious award.
This year marks a significant shift in the Ballon d’Or landscape, as for the first time in two decades, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo appears on the shortlist for the award. Messi has won the Ballon d’Or a record eight times, with his most recent win in 2023, while Ronaldo last took home the trophy in 2017, marking his fifth victory.
In the previous season, Vinicius Jr. was in sensational form, scoring 24 goals and providing 11 assists in 39 appearances across all competitions, contributing significantly to Real Madrid’s continental double. Although he did not shine during the Copa America 2024, where Brazil faced an early exit, his outstanding performances throughout the year have positioned him as the favorite for the Ballon d’Or, edging out strong contenders like Bellingham and Rodri.
Since the start of the 2024-25 season, Vinicius has continued his impressive form, netting three goals and providing five assists, including a goal and an assist during a recent 4-1 victory over Espanyol. He played a crucial role in that match, coming off the bench in the second half to propel Los Blancos to a vital win.
Under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid has enjoyed an unbeaten run in La Liga that spans an entire year. The team will look to maintain this impressive streak when they face Alaves on Wednesday night, as they continue to build on their success both domestically and in Europe.
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