“He can win you a match alone” - Real Madrid icon Karim Benzema reiterates his choice to win 2024 Ballon d’Or
Karim Benzema has backed Vinicius Jr of Brazil to win the Ballon d'Or this year. He believes the Real Madrid star has always stepped up when needed and helped his side win matches.
Vinicius Jr enjoyed a tremendous 2023-24 season with Real Madrid, scoring 24 goals and providing 11 assists in 39 games across competitions. Benzema claimed that the 24-year-old forward was the best candidate after such a performance, saying (via Mardid Xtra on X/Twitter):
"Vinicius can win you a match alone, of course with the help of his teammates, but he is very good when Real Madrid needs him and that is why I think he deserves the Ballon d'Or. He is always there, so he is the best candidate for me."
Neymar also put his countryman as the leading candidate for the France football award. He said (via Mardid Xtra on X/Twitter):
"Vinicius had a fantastic season. I love him. I will root for him to win Ballon d'Or. I think there is no one to win it but him. We are with Vini. He deserves it, because he's a fighter who suffered a lot throughout his life but he surpassed all the criticism. I'm very happy he is carrying the Brazil flag around the world."
Apart from Vinicius Jr, his Real Madrid teammates Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal are also in the running for the award. Manchester City's Rodri has also got a shout after winning the EURO 2024 with Spain.
Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr talks about Ballon d'Or
Vinicius Jr spoke about the Ballon d'Or award earlier this year and said he was keen on winning the award. However, since he was talking to the media ahead of the UEFA Champions League final, he noted that the individual award was not his focus.
He was quoted by ESPN as saying:
"Everyone talks about the Ballon d'Or but I'm very calm. I want to win another Champions League with this team. I can do great things this season and then I have to go with Brazil [for the Copa América]. I always think about the teams first and then me."
"We were able to place the best team in the world in another final. We have 25 stars in the team, all of us have worked hard to achieve our aim, which is to go to London [for the Champions League final] and to win LaLiga. We have won LaLiga, we are going to London," he added.
Real Madrid won the Champions League and LaLiga last season. However, Vinicius Jr could not replicate the success with his national side as Argentina won Copa America 2024.