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Real Madrid legend Clarence Seedorf and Celta de Vigo forward Iago Aspas have named Brazilian attacker Vinicius Jr as their favorite to win the Ballon d'Or. The 24-year-old is one of the top candidates to lift the title after a stellar campaign in the 2023-24 season.
Vinicius racked up 24 goals and 11 assists in 39 appearances across all competitions for Real last season. In the process, he helped Los Blancos win LaLiga, the UEFA Champions League and the Supercopa de Espana.
Although he had a sub-par outing in Brazil's quarter-final exit at the 2024 Copa America, he is still considered as one of the frontrunners for the coveted title. Many fans, players and media personalities have backed him to lift the title, with Seedorf and Aspas being the latest ones.
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Prior to the ceremony, the Celta captain, who also played for Liverpool (2013-15) and Sevilla (2014-15, on loan), said (via Madrid Xtra on X h/t Post United):
"Ballon d’Or? Vini."
Seedorf, who bagged 20 goals and 35 assists in 159 games for Real Madrid between 1996 and 2000, claimed:
"My Ballon d’Or favorite? Vini."
Vinicius' Real teammates Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, and Manchester City duo Erling Haaland and Rodri are the other candidates believed to be vying for the title.
Rodri is widely believed to be the closest contender after his incredibly successful season with club and country. The 28-year-old bagged 10 goals and 14 assists in 56 appearances, winning the Premier League, FIFA Club World Cup and EURO 2024 and being named the Player of the Tournament in the latter.
"No one from Real Madrid will attend" - Fabrizio Romano makes shocking claim about Ballon d'Or ceremony
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has made the shocking revelation that nobody from Real Madrid is traveling to Paris for the 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony.
Reports from RMC have already claimed that Manchester City midfielder Rodri would be named the winner of the prestigious individual accolade. In a post on X, Romano wrote that the Spanish giants 'know' that their star Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr. will not be lifting the award.
Los Blancos have allegedly taken the decision to boycott the ceremony after the eleventh-hour reports which have all but confirmed Rodri's victory. The post from Romano read:
"Vinicius Jr will NOT travel to Paris as Real Madrid know he will NOT win the Ballon d’Or. No one from Real Madrid will attend the ceremony. No Florentino Pérez, no Vini Jr, no Carlo Ancelotti, no Jude Bellingham."
After a 4-0 humbling against Barcelona in El Clasico on Saturday, October 26, Vinicius will likely be eager to put all the chaos behind him as soon as possible. Up next, he will be seen in action when Real take on Valencia on Saturday, November 2.
