Neymar Jr names 4 Real Madrid superstars as his top contenders to win Ballon d'Or this year

Brazilian superstar Neymar has named a host of Real Madrid stars when asked about his favourites for the 2024 Ballon d'Or award. The former Barcelona man named Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo while also adding new signing Kylian Mbappe to the list.

He said (via Madrid Xtra on Twitter):

“Ballon d’Or top three before EURO and Copa America finish? Vinicius Jr. is first. Bellingham and Rodrygo tied. Mbappé fights with them two.”

It seems highly likely that the Ballon d'Or this year will be awarded to one of Real Madrid's many deserving candidates. Having won La Liga comfortably and the Champions League, the side have many contenders for the award.

Vinicius Jr. had a strong campaign for Los Blancos, solidifying his status as one of the world's best attackers. He made 39 appearances, scoring 24 goals and setting up 11 more across all competitions.

He was complemented well in attack by countryman and teammate Rodrygo who was Carlo Ancelotti's most used forward this season. He finished the campaign with 17 goals and nine assists in 51 games.

Jude Bellingham hit the ground running for Real Madrid after completing a €103 million move from Borussia Dortmund last summer. The 20-year-old won the La Liga Player of the Year award, having bagged 23 goals and 13 assists in 42 games.

This already dangerous trio are set to be joined by ex-Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) superstar Kylian Mbappe who is joining the side on a free. He was instrumental for Les Parisiens who won Ligue 1 this year, finishing with 44 goals and 10 assists in 48 games across competitions.

France legend makes hilarious remark after Kylian Mbappe's move to Real Madrid

Petit was happy that the long saga was over.

French legend Emmanuel Petit claimed he was tired of the Kylian Mbappe transfer saga between PSG and Real Madrid. The drawn-out drama ended earlier this summer when the 25-year-old joined Los Blancos on a free transfer.

Speaking to Spanish outlet AS, Petit said:

“Is he gonna leave? Is he gonna come? What’s going on between PSG and Mbappe? Did he have a nice breakfast this morning? Did he have a nice poo-poo after that?

"For so long I was so tired of it all, every single week. You open the newspapers, you go on the internet and all of a sudden, oh, something’s happened. I mean, it [was] like this for years, every six months. Is he going to sign a contract? Is he going to stay? Come on…"

He was close to joining the Spanish giants back in the summer of 2022. However, he snubbed the move and signed an extension to stay in Paris for two more years.

After declining to trigger an option to extend his contract by a further year, Mbappe was set to become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2023-24 campaign. He has now signed a five-year deal with Real Madrid.