Real Madrid icon Luka Modric snubs Bellingham and Vinicius as he picks 2024 Ballon d'Or winner

Real Madrid icon Luka Modric has wished for his midfield partner Toni Kroos to win the Ballon d'Or this year ahead of his teammates Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior.

Kroos has decided to end his club career after his contract with Los Blancos runs out in the summer. He has been pivotal to the Spanish giants' success this campaign, having scored a goal and bagged eight assists on the way to the La Liga title.

Kroos has also produced an assist in the Champions League and will likely start the final against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday (June 1). Speaking about the man he has shared the pitch with on 334 occasions across competitions, managing a joint goal contribution, Modric said (via @MadridXtra):

"Ballon d'Or? Someone of Real Madrid surely (laughs). My favourites are Vinicius, Bellingham, and Kroos. I would like Toni to win it, he's my friend."

Should Kroos win the Champions League final and go deep into the Euros with Germany, he would be a strong contender for the honor. However, his aforementioned teammates would also have a chance to win the prize.

Since completing a reported €103 million move from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid last summer, Bellingham has been sensational. He has played 41 matches across competitions, bagging 23 goals and 12 assists.

The same goes for Vinicius Junior, who has netted 23 times and provided 11 assists in 38 matches across competitions this season.

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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti names his Ballon d'Or favorites

Vinicius Junior (left) and Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has placed Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior as favorites to win the Ballon d'Or award this year. Both players will be expected to start their team's Champions League final on Saturday.

In doing so, Ancelotti snubbed club icon Toni Kroos, who will have his last chance of winning the award. The former Everton manager said (via @MadridXtra):

"The Ballon d'Or should go to Bellingham and Vinicius."

Both Bellingham and Vinicius are seen as important components of Real Madrid's forward play and even combine on several occasions to produce goals. Together, the pair have played 28 matches across competitions, bagging seven joint goal contributions.

Neither of the two are yet to lay their hands on the highest individual honor in the sport.