Ancelotti praises Vini Jr at Real Madrid: “He can win the Ballon d’Or” | spanish football

Vinicius Junior gained strong support in the race for the Ballon d’Or. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti praised the Brazilian striker and pointed to the Champions League final and Copa América as factors for the player to win the award.

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– I think Vinicius is doing well. The Champions League final is missing and then there’s the Copa América, but I think he’s very close. If he finishes well with the final and also with the Copa América, I believe he can win (the Ballon d’Or) – declared the Italian coach, in a press conference this Friday.

Vini Jr is one of Real Madrid’s main players this season, with 21 goals and nine assists in 36 games. And this having been out for two and a half months due to two thigh injuries, in September, November and December 2023.

Vini Jr. was decisive for Real Madrid to eliminate Bayern Munich and qualify for their 18th Champions League final. It was the Brazilian, who scored the two goals in the 2-2 draw in the first leg of the semi-final, who scored the shot that led to Madrid’s equalizing goal in the second leg, at the Santiago Bernabéu. Neuer failed to defend the shot, and Joselu completed it in the 43rd minute of the second half.

– (He) is among the best (in the world). For this type of player, these are moments, and now is Vinicius’ moment. He is delivering a lot, he helped the team reach the Champions League final and win La Liga – praised Ancelotti.

Making his second spell at Real Madrid since 2021, Ancelotti valued Vini Jr’s growth within the club. The former Flamengo striker arrived in Spain in 2018, spent a few months at Castilla (Merengue B team) and since then has been part of the main squad, becoming increasingly decisive.

– When I arrived here, I had only seen Vinicius on TV and he seemed like a player with spectacular talent. Afterwards, he was able to learn many things, more ability to unmark himself, more efficiency in front of goal, and he did so with daily work and always focused on training. He is a very serious professional who deserves what he was able to achieve – praised the coach.

With the Spanish Championship title secured for the 36th time, Real Madrid’s final objective of the season is the 15th Champions League trophy. The final will be against Borussia Dortmund, on June 1st, at Wembley, England. For Vinicius Junior, then comes the Copa América with the Brazilian team, between June 20th and July 14th, in the United States.