"They will definitely give it to him" - Real Madrid icon Marcelo names player he thinks will win 2024 Ballon d'Or
Former Real Madrid defender Marcelo has picked this year's Ballon d'Or winner. The nominations for the prestigious individual award were announced last week.
Real Madrid stars featured heavily in the 30-player shortlist after a stellar 2023-24 season. Los Blancos won the UEFA Champions League last season by defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the final.
They pipped Barcelona to the La Liga title while Real also won the Supercopa de Espana earlier this year. The Spanish giants also added the UEFA Super Cup trophy at the start of the current campaign.
Seven players connected to Real Madrid featured in the shortlist announced by France Football. Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappe are the frontrunners for the award while Dani Carvajal, Federico Valverde, and Antonio Rudiger also feature in the list. Former Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, who retired this summer, also finds himself on the shortlist.
Marcelo predicted Vinicius to win the golden orb in the ceremony on October 28. He was quoted as saying by MadridXtra:
"Ballon d’Or? I think they will definitely give it to Vinícius Jr. Carvajal, Bellingham, Kroos played very well too."
Vinicius is indeed one of the favorites for the Ballon d'Or but will face tough competition from Manchester City's Rodri. The Spaniard won the Premier League and was adjudged the 'Player of the Tournament' in Spain's Euro 2024 winning campaign.
Vinicius, meanwhile, registered 24 goals and 11 assists in 39 appearances in all competitions for Carlo Ancelotti's side last season. However, the lack of success on the international stage could end up harming his credentials.
Real Madrid forward Rodrygo upset at Ballon d'Or snub
One Real Madrid player who didn't feature in the Ballon d'Or shortlist was Brazilian forward Rodrygo. In an interview with ESPN, he highlighted his disappointment at being snubbed despite playing a key role in the club's successes last season.
Rodrygo scored 17 goals and provided nine assists in 51 games across competitions last season. He claimed he deserved to be on the 30-player shortlist.
"I was upset, I think I deserved it [a place in the Ballon d'Or shortlist]. I don't want to belittle the players who are there, but I think I had a place in the 30," Rodrygo claimed.
Calling it a surprise, Rodrygo said there was not much he could do about the decision.
"It was a surprise, but there's not much I can do. I'm not the one who decides these things," he added.
Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr. are on international duty for Brazil and will be back in action for Real Madrid against Real Sociedad on Saturday, September 14.