Carlo Ancelotti: ‘No doubt’ Real Madrid star deserves Ballon d’Or

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has on Saturday thrown his backing behind a leading member of his attacking ranks, to secure the next Ballon d’Or.

The player in question? Vinícius Jr.

Chatter surrounding wide-man Vinícius’ candidacy for the ‘Golden Ball’ has of course long been rampant in the media.

As much comes with the Brazilian time and time again having come to the fore when Real Madrid needed him most last season, at times taking the attacking load completely on his own shoulders.

Such endeavours gave rise to a stellar haul of 24 goals and 11 assists across all competitions, despite the fact that Vinícius spent a significant stretch of the campaign sidelined through injury.

Not only that, but his endeavours culminated in team success, too, Los Blancos marching to a domestic and European double.

Vinícius, in turn, is the current bookmakers’ favourite to be crowned world football’s best player.

And, speaking to the media on Saturday, the aforementioned Carlo Ancelotti made use of the opportunity to back his attacking star’s Ballon d’Or claim:

“Vinícius Jr deserves to win the Ballon d’Or, no doubt. I think Vini will win the Ballon d’Or also because of what he did in the Champions League, he helped us to win it. For me, he’s the man who has to win it.“

Conor Laird – GSFN