The 2024 Ballon d'Or award ceremony is just a few days away, and Vinicius Jr., a Real Madrid player, is one of the favorites to win the top men's honor. Following an incredible 2023–24 season with Madrid, Vini Jr. is the bookies' favorite to win the award on October 28. Last season, the Brazilian helped Real Madrid win the Champions League and La Liga with 29 goals in all competitions.Though Dani Carvajal, Lamine Yamal, and Erling Haaland are also in the running for the individual prize, he will have competition from Manchester City star Rodri and clubmate Jude Bellingham. Vinicius Jr., who is still only 24 years old and has his best years ahead of him, has experienced a phenomenal ascent.
Vinicius Jr. stated in 2022 that he hoped to become the world's best football player. "How my season goes will determine whether or not I can be the greatest in the world in the future. To continue reaching my goals, I must continue to strive and grow," he stated.The Brazilian specifically mentioned Chelsea's Reece James and Manchester City's Kyle Walker as his two hardest opponents in the same interview.
Since then, however, he has altered his mind and named another defense as his most formidable opponent. Speaking after an El Clasico match last year, the former Flamengo player named Ronald Araujo of Barcelona as his most formidable opponent. "Araujo is the best defender I have ever encountered. He is excellent and very strong. According to Planet Sport, Vinicius stated, "That's why he plays for Barca." Since moving from Boston River, a Uruguayan club, to Barcelona in 2018, Araujo has grown into a top-tier defender.
He has since made 150 appearances for the Catalan team and scored eight goals, but an injury has prevented him from playing this season thus far.According to a Spanish outlet, the center-back is not anticipated to play for the first team again until December after suffering a hamstring injury in July.With Hansi Flick's team leading La Liga by three points, ahead of Vinicius Jr.'s Real Madrid, Barcelona has fared well without Araujo.However, that might alter in the upcoming weeks as the two Spanish football powerhouses square off at the Bernabeu on October 26, two days prior to the Ballon d'Or award ceremony.
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