"Deserves the Ballon d'Or after the season he had" - Aurelien Tchouameni backs Real Madrid teammate to win prestigious award
Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni reckons attacker Vinicius Junior deserves the 2024 Ballon d'Or following his stellar exploits last season. The 24-year-old helped Los Blancos to three titles, including the La Liga and UEFA Champions League double.
Despite an injury-plagued season, Vinicius managed an impressive 24 goals and 11 assists in 39 games across competitions. That includes 15 goals and six assists in 26 outings as Madrid won their second La Liga title in three years.
The Brazil international also registered six goals and five assists in 10 outings in the UEFA Champions, which Los Blancos won for a record-extending 15th time, with Vinicius scoring one of the goals in the 2-0 final win over Borussia Dortmund.
Talking about his teammate's Ballon d'Or chances, Tchouameni said (as per Madrid Xtra):
"Ballon d'Or? Vinicius deserves the Ballon d'Or after the season he had. He has many chances to win it."
With the four active former winners of the Ballon d'Or - Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema - not making this year's 30-man shortlist, a first-time winner is guaranteed to be crowned in Paris on October 28.
What's next for Real Madrid?
Real Madrid have made a fine start to the season, going unbeaten in 10 games across competitions, winning seven. They started their campaign with a 2-0 win over UEFA Europa League winners Atalanta in Warsaw in August. Federico Valverde and new signing Kylian Mbappe scored in the game.
Carlo Ancelotti's side, though, had a slow start to their La Liga title defence, drawing 1-1 at Valencia. Following a 3-0 home win over Real Valladolid, they drew 1-1 at Las Palmas before reeling off four straight wins.
Their winning run in the league ended with a 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid at the weekend. However, Los Blancos are unbeaten in 40 La Liga games since a 3-1 defeat at Atletico in September last year, winning 29.
Madrid's unbeaten streak in the league is now just three short of Barcelona's record, with the capital side having the chance to tie their arch-rivals' mark with a home clash with the La Liga leaders on October 26.
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti's side commenced their UEFA Champions League title defence with a 3-1 home win over VfB Stuttgart. They next take on LOSC Lille away on Wednesday (October 2) as they look to continue their unbeaten start to the season.