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Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has backed teammate Vinicius Junior to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or. The Brazilian forward is among the favorites to lift the coveted award this year following an impressive campaign.
Vinicius arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2018 from Brazilian club Flamengo at the age of 18. He was already labeled as one of the most exciting talents in the world.
Vinicius took some time to settle with Los Blancos but has come into his own in recent years. Last season, the Brazilian was crucial to the La Liga giants' league and Champions League triumph.
Vinicius registered 24 goals and 11 assists from 39 games across competitions and also helped Real Madrid win the Supercopa de Espana. His efforts have earned him a place among the final 30 nominees for the Ballon d'Or.
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The prestigious trophy is awarded to the best player in the past year, based on performances and statistics for club and country. 100 journalists from 100 top-ranked FIFA member nations cast their votes to decide the winner.
Apart from Vinicius, Manchester City midfielder Rodri is also a frontrunner in the race. The Spaniard was instrumental in City's march to the Premier League title and also helped La Roja lift the Euro 2024 trophy over the summer.
However, Valverde is convinced that his Los Blancos teammate will triumph at the award ceremony, to be held at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on October 28. Vinicius Junior was recently handed the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League Player of the Season award that he won in June this year.
Commenting on a picture with the award that the Brazilian shared on social media, Valverde named him as the next Ballon d'Or winner.
"The next Ballon d'Or," wrote Valverde.
Should the 24-year-old come out on top next month, he will be the ninth Real Madrid player to lift the coveted trophy.
Could the Ballon d'Or return to Real Madrid this year?
Interestingly, Federico Valverde is also in the final shortlist for the prestigious award this year. The Uruguayan midfielder was indispensable for Real Madrid last season and remains one of Carlo Ancelotti's most trusted men.
Los Blancos are the most represented club in the nominee list. Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, and Antonio Rudiger are on the wishlist as well, so there's a big chance that the award could return to the Santiago Bernabeu this year.
