Real Madrid has been dominating the Ballon d’Or award in recent years, with a Real Madrid star reportedly already informed that he will be crowned the winner next month in Paris. Plans are already in motion to dedicate Madrid’s Nike store on the Gran Via in his honor with a golden theme and his image on display. The star has not been officially named, but reports suggest it could be Vinicius Jr. who has been tipped to win the prestigious award.
The Ballon d’Or has been historically won by players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but this year, neither of them has made the shortlist for the first time since 2003. Instead, the list of nominees includes Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., Antonio Rudiger, and Federico Valverde from the current crop of Madrid stars. Even the recently retired Toni Kroos has been nominated for the award, with many fans believing he deserves to win after an outstanding season.
Vinicius Jr. has had an exceptional year, scoring crucial goals in important matches, including the Champions League final. With 24 goals and 11 assists in all competitions, his impressive performance has put him in contention for the Ballon d’Or. Marca reports that he has already been informed that he will win the award in Paris next month.
The Ballon d’Or is one of the most prestigious individual awards in football, and winning it is a significant achievement for any player. The voting for the award is done by journalists from FIFA’s top 100-ranked member nations, adding to the credibility and prestige of the honor. As the anticipation builds for the announcement of this year’s winner, fans and players alike are eagerly awaiting to see who will be crowned the best player in the world.
