Ballon d’Or winner? Why Vinicius Jr is ignoring Golden Ball talk as Champions League final-bound Real Madrid star puts ‘teams first’

The Brazil international has been in dazzling form for the Blancos this season, helping them to the Liga title and another Champions League final. His exploits across the 2023-24 campaign, as he becomes a talismanic presence at Santiago Bernabeu, have led some to suggest that a Golden Ball could be heading his way.

Vinicius has said of that debate, after helping Real past Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals: “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 America]. 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 La Liga. We have won La Liga, we are going to London.”

Vinicius has had plenty to contend with on and off the field during his time in Spain, but the 23-year-old forward is unlocking full potential to become part of the global elite. He added: “I came here [to Madrid] when I was young, 18. I was criticised a lot and that made me work a lot more in order to be ready when the time came...I train every day to improve...I'm now here, in another final. I've never worked in a group that is as united as ours is this season. This group works a lot.”

Real, who wrapped up a domestic crown with four games to spare, are set to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembley Stadium on June 1. Vinicius will be hoping to figure prominently in the contest, having previously netted a winning goal for the Blancos in their 2022 showdown with Liverpool.