Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has thrown his weight behind Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or award, Afrosport reports.
The Italian coach reacted to the Brazilian’s performance against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday, where he bagged a hat-trick in their 5-2 comeback win.
The former Chelsea and AC Milan manager said Vinicius has done enough to win the prestigious award, adding that the 24-year-old is also on the right path to winning it again in 2025.
“Vinicius is going to win [the Ballon d’Or], not for what he did tonight, but for what he did last year,” the 65-year-old said. “These three goals are already going to count for next year’s Ballon d’Or, that’s for sure. He is a player who gets whistled at because he can make a difference.
“What I can say is that it’s rare to see a player who plays a second half like Vinicius did. And not because of the three goals but because of his character; he’s extraordinary,” the Italian added.
Dortmund stunned the home crowd with two first-half goals from Dutch forward Donyell Malen and English winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens.
However, Madrid mounted a comeback in the second half with Antonio Rudiger heading them back in the game in the 60th minute before Vinicius struck a hat-trick, and Lucas Vasquez added one more to help the holders secure maximum points.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or award winner will be announced on Monday, October 28, at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, marking the 68th edition of the event.
