Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was full of praise for Vinicius Jr after the Brazilian forward's stunning performance helped Real Madrid stage a remarkable comeback to defeat Borussia Dortmund 5-2 in the UEFA Champions League. The young star netted a second-half hat-trick, turning the tide after Real Madrid trailed by two goals at halftime. Ancelotti’s admiration for Vinicius went beyond his goals, as he highlighted the player's character and maturity on the field, describing his performance as "extraordinary."

In his post-match press conference, Ancelotti was confident that Vinicius Jr is on the path to winning the prestigious Ballon d'Or, which is awarded annually to the world's best player. Ancelotti stated, "Vinicius is going to win (the Ballon d'Or), not for what he did tonight, but for what he did last year." The Italian manager pointed out that the 24-year-old’s exceptional contributions over the past season make him a clear contender for the award. He also emphasized that the hat-trick performance against Dortmund will likely be remembered in the future as a key moment in Vinicius’ rise to global prominence.