The winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or already knows he is taking home the award, and celebration plans have been put in place, Marca claims.
Vinicius Jr. revealed as Ballon d’Or winner amid Rodri, Bellingham competitions
According to the Spanish outlet’s report, Vinicius Jr. is aware that he is being crowned this year’s Ballon d’Or winner.
The Real Madrid and Brazil star had an incredible 2023–24 season, leading his team to La Liga and the Champions League triumphs with 24 goals and 11 assists.
Manchester City’s Rodri, alongside Madrid teammates Vinicius and Jude Bellingham, have been touted as favorites to win the award amongst the 30-man shortlist released by the organisers some weeks ago.
However, Marca claims the 24-year-old winger has been told he will pick up the award at the ceremony on October 28.
It’s also understood that plans exist to devote Madrid’s Nike store to Vinicius, featuring a poster of him and a gold theme throughout the entire space.
This comes after fellow country teammate Gabriel Martinelli backed the Madrid star for the award, tagging him the ‘deserved candidate’.
Vinicius to join Ronaldo, Benzema, and Modric as Ballon d’Or winning Madridsters
Should the Brazilian emerge victorious, he would be the fourth different Real Madrid player to do so in the last seven years.
Lionel Messi stands as the only player outside of Real Madrid to have done it in the previous fifteen years, after winning the Ballon d’Or an unprecedented eight times between 2009 and 2023.