"Ready to be the leader" - Ex-Brazil star Diego Ribas backs Real Madrid superstar to win the Ballon d'Or this year
Former Brazil star Diego Ribas has tipped Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or by emphasizing the Brazilian's teamwork. The former Flamengo midfielder feels the 23-year-old has displayed leadership qualities.
Vinicius is one of the favorites to win the award later this year after a dazzling 2023-24 campaign. He registered 24 goals and 11 assists in 39 games across competitions, which was crucial as Los Blancos won La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, and the Supercopa de Espana.
Ribas talked up Vinicius' prospects of winning the Ballon d'Or by pointing out how he's excelled individually and as part of a team. He said (via Madrid Zone):
"Vini deserves the Ballon d'Or for what he has done. Not only individually, but collectively as well. He is a player who is ready to be the leader. He overcame many difficulties & he shone. He shined as a person & as a player. He will surely play very well without Neymar, but when he is with Neymar he will do even better."
Vinicius is participating in the Copa America tournament with Brazil in the United States. He's taken on the role of Selecao's protagonist, with Neymar missing the competition through injury.
The tricky Real Madrid winger will be looking to catch the eye in the USA and win his first major international trophy. He is hotly tipped to at least rank on the Ballon d'Or podium when the ceremony occurs in Paris on October 28.
Real Madrid's Vinicius hit back at critics over his Copa America outing in Brazil's draw vs Costa Rica
Vinicius began his Copa America campaign with Brazil on Tuesday (June 25) in a 0-0 stalemate against Costa Rica. Selecao struggled to impress, and much of the criticism went the Real Madrid star's way.
The former Flamengo youngster was deployed up top but failed to have an impact. He didn't have a single shot, failed with four dribble attempts, and won three of eight ground duels.
Vinicius defended himself amid criticism of his performance by insisting he's man-marked on international duty. He said (via Get Football News Spain):
"Every time I enter the field for the national team, I have three or four players marking me."
The Real Madrid forward acknowledged Brazil's disappointing showing by vowing his nation will improve:
"I’m sure we’ll play much better because we now already understand what the competition will be like, what the pitch, and what the referees will be like. We know we can improve, we have to improve. I also know what I can improve, evolve and do for our team."
Vinicius made his international debut in September 2019 when he was 19. He's since posted three goals and five assists in 31 caps for Selecao. He will want to show improvement when they face Paraguay (June 29) and Colombia (July 3) in their other Group D games.