Vinicius Junior backed to win 2024 Ballon d'Or ahead of Jude Bellingham as England man is told area he lagged behind Real Madrid team-mate during 2023-24 season

Real Madrid fans are basking in the joy of witnessing both Vinicius and Bellingham excel, each making a strong case for the coveted individual award. While Bellingham had a stellar first half of the 2023-24 campaign, his performances have tempered down a bit in 2024, when compared to the Brazilian.

Vinicius has been the standout performer in the UEFA Champions League, while Bellingham was decisive in both El Clásicos this season. However, the Brazilian's electrifying performances in both legs of the semi-final against Bayern Munich in Europe were nothing short of spectacular, which could give him an the edge in the Ballon d'Or race.

Moreover, Vinicius' journey this season has been remarkable, particularly considering his return from a serious ACL injury that sidelined him for the majority of the first half of the campaign. Since his comeback, he has quickly regained form, delivering match-winning performances in key fixtures which puts him ahead of Bellingham, according to former Real Madrid player Julio Baptista.

In an interview with Marca, Baptista stated: "He has achieved tremendous consistency in important games, and only the best do that. Golden Ball? This year I have no doubt I would give it to him. Between him and Bellingham, I think I would give it to Vini for being more differential in important games."

Vinicius has 23 goals and 11 assists in 37 matches, whereas, Bellingham boasts of almost identical goal contributions with 23 strikes and 12 assists in 40 appearances. The race to the Ballon d'Or is tight and it could potentially be decided on their respective performances in the Copa America and European Championship in the summer.

With Neymar sidelined due to a season-ending knee injury, Vinicius is poised to be Brazil's protagonist in the 2024 Copa America. Whereas, England's chances of being crowned European champions could largely depend on Bellingham's form. Moreover, the anticipation for the Champions League final adds another layer of excitement to this narrative. Should Vinicius deliver a standout performance at Wembley on June 1 against Borussia Dortmund, it could solidify his status as the frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or. Conversely, Bellingham's continued excellence could tilt the balance in his favour.