Is Vinícius Jr. a candidate for the Ballon d’Or? This is what Ancelotti thinks

The Italian coach put Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Jr. on the same level in a hypothetical fight for the prestigious individual award.
by
Desmond Efe-Khaese
2024-04-26 15:20:31

In the preview of the league match against Real Sociedad, corresponding to matchday 33 of LaLiga EA Sports, Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media at a press conference and, as always, left very interesting statements regarding the state of his squad and his objectives in the short term.

During this press conference, a journalist took the opportunity to ask him his opinion on who he would choose between two of his most outstanding pupils this year, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius, to win the Ballon d’Or and the Italian, jokingly, surprised with his response: “Both.”

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Ballon d’Or: Bellingham or Vinícius? Ancelotti would give it to both of them

With this brilliant answer, Ancelotti got rid of a complicated question that would position him in a debate that, at the end of the course, could be more than real in the fight for the prestigious award. Above all, if Real Madrid has an idyllic season not only in LaLiga, but also in the UEFA Champions League.

What is clear is that, for Ancelotti, both Bellingham and Vinícius would be perfect candidates to lift the award and bring it back to the white house, since since Karim Benzema lifted it in 2022, the merengue team has not had a a current Ballon d’Or in his squad.

This season, Jude Bellingham has accumulated a total of 21 goals and 10 assists in 36 games including all competitions, while Vinícius Jr. is having another great season in the elite with 19 goals and 11 assists in 32 games.

However, what could make the difference is that Bellingham’s scoring and play creation figures are that the Englishman has achieved them starting from a further back position in the scheme, starting as an attacking midfielder and, sometimes, as a playmaker. or interior.

If Real Madrid win the UEFA Champions League, who will win the Ballon d’Or? Only time, and the good work of these stars between now and the end of the course, will tell.

Remembering Zagallo

Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.

The first three episodes are available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel. Stay tuned for the upcoming releases as we keep telling this legend’s life story.