Vinícius Júnior’s excellent play this season makes him a strong candidate for the Ballon d’Or. Reading further, we will examine his scoring and assists in La Liga and his important role in Real Madrid’s Champions League run as they align with the criteria for winning football’s top honor.
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++ Vinicius Junior credits Ronaldo Nazario and Cristiano Ronaldo for his success
++ Bellingham says that Vinicius Junior is the best player of the world
++ “Ballon d’Or, Ballon d’Or” – Real Madrid fans ovation Vinicius Junior
Ballon d’Or criteria
The Ballon d’Or goes to the top football player each year, judging them on their skills, key game plays, and consistent performance worldwide.
Voters—journalists, coaches, and team captains—look for more than just goals and assists. They assess the player’s impact on their team’s success, their ability to lead, and their conduct both on and off the field.
How Vinícius Júnior fits
Vinícius’ season so far perfectly matches these Ballon d’Or’s standards, establishing him as a key candidate. He scored 15 goals and made 5 assists in 26 La Liga matches, placing him in the top 1% for game contributions per 90 minutes.*
Vinícius Júnior has now provided 11 assists in the knockout rounds of the Champions League:
🎯 x4 vs Chelsea
🎯 x2 vs Liverpool
🎯 x3 vs Man City
🎯 x1 vs PSG
🎯 x1 vs Ajax pic.twitter.com/hail0gwVOP— OneFootball (@OneFootball) April 10, 2024
He also made a significant impact in the UEFA Champions League, contributing 5 goals and 5 assists in 9 matches, demonstrating his skills on a global stage.
His role evolved under coach Carlo Ancelotti, moving to a more central position which has improved his scoring. This change demonstrates his adaptability and understanding of the game, essential traits for any leader.
His playing style is aggressive and skillful, leading major leagues with 240 successful dribbles, proving he can change games on his own.*
🚀⚽ ¡Este GOLAZO de @vinijr está entre los candidatos a ser el mejor de la #UCL!
🆚 @ManCityES
🗳️ ¡Vota por Vini! 👉 https://t.co/IBF7Zpcfqp pic.twitter.com/2FcNjd8nGp— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) June 17, 2023
His track record makes a strong case for the Ballon d’Or, reflecting not just his personal achievements but his overall contribution to his team’s success.
Here are some key stats for Vinícius Júnior in the 2023/2024 season:
- La Liga Goals: 15 goals in 26 matches.
- UCL: 5 goals and 5 assists in 9 matches.
- Total goal contributions: 20 (goals + assists) in La Liga, averaging 0.96 per 90 minutes.
- Expected Goals (xG): 14.94, showcasing his scoring efficiency.
- Shooting Accuracy: 62.90%, with a conversion rate of 24.19%.
- Assists: 5 assists in La Liga, proving his playmaking skills.
- Dribbling and Speed: Known for top speed and dribbling ability, rated among Europe’s best.
- Passing Accuracy: 81.45% in the Champions League, highlighting his skill in play creation.
- Discipline: Just 2 yellow cards in Champions League, showing his on-pitch discipline.
Vinícius Junior’s stats showcase his scoring prowess and broad impact on Real Madrid’s successes in both domestic and international arenas.
*Details as compiled on May 31st 2024
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
Binge the full series, available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel.
