Carlo Ancelotti lets slip he knows who'll win Ballon d'Or between Real Madrid team-mates
Vinicius Jr enjoyed a superb season for Real Madrid last year, netting 24 goals in all competitions as he lifted LaLiga and the Champions League, and boss Carlo Ancelotti has now backed him to win his first Ballon d'Or
by Oli Gamp · The MirrorReal Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has claimed Vinicius Jr will win the Ballon d'Or after masterminding the club's latest Champions League triumph.
Vinicius is widely considered as one of the best players in world football, with the forward bidding to claim the coveted individual prize next week after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominated the award for over a decade.
The 24-year-old enjoyed a superb season last year, netting 24 goals in all competitions as he lifted both LaLiga and the Champions League. This term he has built on that success, scoring eight times in 14 appearances.
His Real Madrid team-mates Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo will also be contenders to win the Ballon d'Or, but Ancelotti believes Vinicius will be victorious as he raved about his player following an incredible display against Dortmund.
The European champions found themselves 2-0 down against last season's finalists, before Vinicius scored a second-half hattrick, with Rudiger and Lucas Vasquez netting in the dramatic 5-2 victory.
"It's rare to see a player perform like Vinícius did in the second half, not just with the goals, but with an extraordinary energy, intensity, and character," he said after the 5-2 comeback win.
"I think he’s going to win the Ballon d'Or for what he did last year, helping us win the Champions League, not for today’s three goals, which will count towards next year’s Ballon d'Or."
Manchester City's Rodri will also be one of the favourites to win the Ballon d'Or after winning the Premier League and Euros with Spain, while the likes of Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal and Phil Foden could also be in with a chance too.
The Ballon d'Or winner will be decided at the lavish ceremony on October 28, as football prepares to give way to a new era with Messi and Ronaldo not among the frontrunners.
It comes after Rodri said he felt he had "already won" the Ballon d'Or after overwhelming reception from fans and pundits following an incredible season with Manchester City.
"People say I'm going to fight with Vinicius, who is someone I admire. I think he is a great player,” Rodri told ESPN. "Just being in the conversation makes me very proud of the work I've put in. It will depend a little bit on what people value [when they vote], what they believe, and honestly, there are a lot of players who deserve to win it, so we will see what the decision is.
Messi - who has claimed eight Ballon d'Or prizes - won last year's award in recognition of his World Cup triumph, with Karim Benzema winning the 2022 edition. Messi had won the previous two award ceremonies - with the 2020 prize not given out due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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