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Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior's entourage reportedly believes that the Brazilian won't win the 2024 Ballon d'Or. The winner of the prestigious award will be announced at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Monday (October 28).
Vinicius, 24, is widely believed to be one of the frontrunners for this year's Ballon d'Or after an impressive 2023-24 season with Los Blancos. The Brazilian contributed 24 goals and 11 assists in 39 games across competitions as Carlo Ancelotti's side won three titles, including a La Liga-UEFA Champions League double.
However, as per RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins, Vinicius' entourage is 'convinced' that the player won't win the award. Hawkins tweeted (as translated from French):
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"BREAKING: Vinicius Jr.'s entourage is now convinced that he will not be named Ballon d'Or. Everyone in Madrid has this feeling."
Despite missing a few games due to injury, Vinicius produced an incredible season. Most of his goal contributions - 15 goals and six assists in 26 games - came in La Liga, while the Brazilian also registered six goals and five assists in 10 outings in the UEFA Champions League.
Vinicius scored one of the two goals in the final as Ancelotti's side beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at the Wembley in London to win the continental competition for a record-extending 15th time. He also scored thrice in two games in Madrid's victorious Supercopa Espana campaign earlier this year.
How has 2024 Ballon d'Or contender Vinicius Junior fared for Real Madrid this season?
Vinicius Junior has had a decent start to the new season for Real Madrid. In 15 games across competitions, the Brazilian has contributed eight goals and seven assists.
Most of those goal contributions - five goals and six assists in 11 games - have come in La Liga, where Ancelotti's side are coming off a humbling 4-0 home defeat to leaders Barcelona in the season's first El Clasico at the weekend. The defeat put Los Blancos six points behind their arch-rivals in the standings after 11 games, with both teams having lost once apiece.
Vinicius has also scored thrice in as many outings in the UEFA Champions League, with all three goals coming in Madrid's comeback 5-2 home win over Borussia Dortmund last week.
The 2024 Ballon d'Or contender also contributed an assist in Madrid's 2-0 UEFA Super Cup win in Warsaw over reigning UEFA Europa League winners Atalanta in August.
