The topic of the 2024 Ballon d’Or is one that will accumulate hundreds and hundreds of statements until the award is officially handed to its deserving winner. For many, players of the caliber of Bellingham or Toni Kroos could be strong candidates to take home the award, but there is another player who, deservedly, has also entered the race: Vinicius Jr.
The Brazilian had a magnificent year with Real Madrid, being key to the league title and the fifteenth Champions League won against Dortmund, and two legends and Ballon d’Or winners like Ronaldo and Rivaldo, agree that the Brazilian is the one who deserves to take home the mythical golden ball: “He is the best player in the world, without a doubt,” assured R9 in dialogue with ESPN.
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Ronaldo and Rivaldo give their favorite for the Ballon d’Or: “Vinicius is the best player in the world, without a doubt”
At a Betfair event, a brand they collaborate with as ambassadors, Ronaldo Nazário and Rivaldo spoke to the media, giving an exclusive interview to ESPN Brazil in which they talked, among other topics, about this year’s Ballon d’Or.
Regarding the topic, Ronaldo Nazário assured, without any doubt, that Vinicius is the one who deserves the award:
“I think Vini already deserves it. He had an spectacular Champions League, an spectacular Spanish league and I see a very upward evolution. (…) I think his time has come. He has been very decisive this year with Real Madrid. For me, he is the best player in the world, without a doubt,” assured the legend, who won the award on two occasions (1997 and 2002).
For his part, Rivaldo remained in the same line of thought, congratulating him on his good year at Real Madrid and assuring that he deserves the award whether he wins the Copa América or not:
“Vinicius is a player who should be congratulated. He deserves the Ballon d’Or. Of course, there would be nothing better for him than winning the award being the Copa América champion, right? Today he already deserves the award, but if he wins the Copa América, even better,” said the legend, who won the Ballon d’Or in 1999 wearing the FC Barcelona jersey.
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.
Watch the full series, available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel.
