“I think he deserves it" - Cafu backs Real Madrid star to win the Ballon d'Or this year
Former Brazil national team captain Cafu has named Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior as his choice for this year's Ballon d'Or award. The legendary right-back heaped praise on the 23-year-old, claiming Vinicius to be totally deserving of the prestigious accolade.
Speaking about Vinicius' performances in the past seasons, the former AC Milan defender said (via Madrid Universal):
"I don’t just see him as a contender but also as a Ballon d’Or winner. For everything he has done in previous seasons and, above all, for what he has done this season, in the Champions League final, also by winning La Liga with Real Madrid by scoring a lot of goals"
"Vinicius’ numbers are very attractive, so I think he deserves it," added Cafu.
Vinicius Junior registered 24 goals and 11 assists in 39 appearances across competitions for Los Blancos in the 2023-24 season. Since his arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2018, the Brazilian forward has won three La Liga, three UEFA Champions League and three Supercopa Espana titles, among others.
Cafu also spoke about Real Madrid veteran Dani Carvajal and hailed him to be the best full-back in the world at this moment. The Spaniard was named the Man of the Match in the UEFA Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, opening the scoring in the 2-0 win. Cafu said:
"Honestly, I wasn’t surprised, because I’ve known about Carvajal’s potential for a long time. Although I am Brazilian, I have been saying for a long time that he is one of the best in the world."
"Today, he has a very important role in Real Madrid, he is the leader of Real Madrid. He’s a full-back who goes forward, a full-back who crosses, a full-back who marks, a full-back who scores goals and likes it," added Cafu.
Dani Carvajal has been a part of Real Madrid since 2013 and has won six UEFA Champions League titles. His Los Blancos contract runs out in 2025.
Cafu shares his opinion about upcoming Real Madrid arrival Endrick
Cafu opened up about young Brazilian talent Endrick, who will be joining Real Madrid this summer.
The legendary right-back also praised Carlo Ancelotti's coaching style to bring out the best in players and said that the Italian manager would do the same with the 17-year-old forward:
"(In Brazil) we say we have a diamond in our hand, and that’s Endrick, isn’t it? But you have to know how to cut a diamond and Ancelotti knows it very well, he knows how to ‘cut’ young players who in the future can become the best players in the world."
"He is a promising player, he is already a reality in Brazilian football and is capable of being one of the best players in the world, but he is a young player who has to be prepared, he has to go little by little. With the expectation of being alongside the best in the world," added Cafu.
Endrick started his senior career with Palmeiras in 2022.