Brazilian footballer Vinicius Jr has been highlighted for his extraordinary performances at Real Madrid, becoming the favorite to win his first Ballon d'Or according to betting houses. Vinicius Jr, 24 years old, scored 24 goals and provided 11 assists in 39 key matches that helped the Spanish team achieve an almost perfect 2023-24 season, culminating in victory in LaLiga and the fifteenth European Cup.
Vinicius Jr, who scored in the Champions League final and was named the best player of the competition, aims to become the first Brazilian since Kaká in 2007 to win this award. It would be the third distinct person apart from Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to achieve it since 2008, as this year, for the first time since 2003, neither Messi nor Ronaldo are among the 30 nominees.
For his part, Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won the Ballon d'Or five times, was also not nominated last year after his move to Saudi Arabia. Messi, who won the award for the eighth time in 2023, is not among the nominees despite Argentina's triumph in the Copa America.
Vinicius Jr's main rival in the Ballon d'Or race seems to be Rodri, midfielder for the Spanish national team and Manchester City. Pep Guardiola has praised him as "the best midfielder in the world" after contributing to City's fourth consecutive Premier League title and being named the best player of this year's Euro after helping Spain lift the trophy.
Another contender on the list is Jude Bellingham, who was named LaLiga's most valuable player after a successful debut campaign with 19 goals, his best record, and helping England reach the final of Euro 2024. In the Women's Ballon d'Or, Barcelona, the Champions League winner, stands out with six candidates, including Aitana Bonmati, last year's winner, and Alexia Putellas, a two-time champion.
