Vinícius Júnior
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti believes Vinícius Júnior will soon win a Ballon d’Or award.
The 23 year-old is on the 2023 shortlist for the award, that hasn’t been won by a Brazilian player since Kaka in 2007.
Asked if he thinks there is a Brazilian at Madrid that could win the top individual award one day, Ancelotti told TNT Sports after his team’s 2-1 Champions League win at Braga: “Yes, Vinícius will win it soon.”
Vinícius, who is in his sixth campaign at Real Madrid, was the club’s second top scorer last season behind 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema.
On the back of his two assists on Tuesday, Ancelotti believes Vinícius is “back to his best.”
“He got the goal, which was ruled out by the narrowest of margins, and he provided assists for Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham.
“He’s back, and he’s back in form. He made the difference.”
“They [Bellingham and Vinícius] work really well together with the ball and without it. We have to improve there but they’re both doing a great job.”
Ancelotti also hailed Bellingham, who since joining Madrid this summer for €103million [$109.9m] from Borussia Dortmund, has scored 11 goals and set up three more in 12 games.
“We have to consider that Bellingham is 20 years old,” Ancelotti said.
“I’ve never seen a player of that age to have such impact, to arrive at a big club like Real Madrid and do everything well. He is very effective, he works a lot, he helps the team a lot, he is a complete player. We are very happy he is with us.”
Ancelotti was also pleased that Rodrygo ended his 12 game goal drought — his strike against Braga was his first since August.
“For a striker, for Rodrygo, to score goals is the most important thing,” Ancelotti said.
“What we, the coaching staff, see is the work they do, the movements he makes. Rodrygo is the first player in LaLiga in terms of shots on goal. He hasn’t been effective in this first part of the season but he is always dangerous. The fact that he has scored is very good for him.”
Real Madrid have won all three of their Champions League Group C games.
Ancelotti’s side head into Saturday’s Clasico at Barcelona at the top of LaLiga. They are level on 25 points with Girona and are one point clear of Barça after 10 games.
“After this game [at Braga], we know exactly what we need to do — everything we can to win it,” Ancelotti said.
“We have time to get ready for it. We’re heading into this incredibly important game full of excitement.”