Champions League – Before Dortmund – Real Madrid: Vinicius Junior, the real favorite for the Ballon d’Or?

October 2023. While Lionel Messi wins the 8th Ballon d’Or of his career, Vinicius Junior is progressing slowly but surely in this quest for the ultimate individual reward by finishing 6th in the ranking, two places better than in 2022. At the same time, the Brazilian won the Socrates Prize, due to his involvement in the foundation for disadvantaged children that he created.

The trophy for having done the good… before the big leap? Since Harry Kane has won nothing with Bayern, since Erling Haaland will not play in the Euro and was unable to retain the Champions League with Manchester City, the debate seems to come down to three men this year: Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius, therefore. And the Brazilian has a good lead as a favorite.

His campaign began in any case, without him having to worry about it. “He’s close to winning itestimated Carlo Ancelotti on May 10. And if he finishes the season well with the Champions League final and the Copa América, I think he can win it.”

His coach Dorival Silvestre Júnior goes even further. For him, there is no room for doubt: “The season he has had takes him straight to the trophy. Of all the players who will be involved in both competitions (Euro and Copa América), no one has had a more balanced year than Vini. I think this election is in progress, if it has not already taken place”.

Whether his selection boss likes it or not, Vinicius still has to somehow transform the try. A Champions League final marked with the imprint of Bellingham, a successful Euro won by Mbappé while he would be more discreet at the Copa América (June 20 – July 14) and the debate would not be so clear-cut. But at that moment, the Brazilian twirler leaves with a head start. Even his teammate and competitor says it.

“For me, he’s the best player in the world, I’ve said it so many times, explained the England international when commenting on this race. When he is at his best, he is unplayable. It’s a pleasure to play with someone like him. He makes magic out of nothing, he’s fun to watch perform.”

We know, the “individual performances” and the “decisive and impressive character of the suitors” are now the predominant criteria, ahead of “the collective aspect and the trophies won” And “the class of the player and his sense of fair play”. If the Brazilian’s taste for provocation is a subject, the rest is not up for debate. Neither the trophies – the Champions League could be his third of the season – nor his showmanship. Even less his statistics.

The former Flamengo man has missed around ten matches due to injuries this season, but scored 23 times in 38 games. That’s the same total as last season with… 17 matches less. And one more than the one before, completed at 52 matches. His ratio in front of goal has simply exploded, while he has calmed down on the offerings (11 assists this season compared to 21 last season).

The result of a major evolution in his game, which has become ultra complete. Because if Real continued to excel after the departure of Karim Benzema replaced by Joselu alone, it is also because Vinicius knew how to play a more central role. “My greatest pride this season? To have been able to play number 9, he assures. The coach convinced me to play in this position. Now I feel more comfortable in this position than as a winger.”

Unthinkable just a few years ago, when he was still just a crazy square-footed dribbler. But now, he is in front of goal as well as in front of the opposing defenders: clinical. Capable of tumbling to the left as well as mystifying an opponent with a call-counter-call, the 23-year-old now knows how to do everything, and often does so in major events.

Go ask Leipzig, against whom he scored in the round of 16 second leg of C1. To Bayern, who suffered from their double in the semi-final first leg. Or Barça, helpless in the face of its hat-trick in the final of the Spanish Super Cup. Liverpool supporters still remember his goal in the 2022 Champions League final, the one which marked his change of status for good.

Two years later, everything is in place for him to take the next step. The ultimate level. When asked who he would give the Ballon d’Or to, the native of Sao Gonçalo politely answers, sometimes Bellingham, sometimes Toni Kroos. But eventually, he ends up recognizing it. “It would be a great prize because you work all the years of your life to become one of the best players in the world.” He’s already part of the elite. All that remains is to add the icing on the cake.