Brazilian football legend Ronaldo has expressed his belief that Vinicius Junior has outshone Manchester City’s Rodri, England’s Jude Bellingham, and Spain’s Dani Carvajal in the race for the prestigious Ballon d’Or.

Ronaldo, who claimed the award twice during his career, is backing his compatriot Vinicius to win the accolade. The Real Madrid forward enjoyed an exceptional season, recording 24 goals and 11 assists in 39 matches across all competitions.

While Rodri and Carvajal delivered outstanding performances for Spain in their Euro 2024 triumph, with Rodri also playing a key role in Manchester City’s Premier League title win, Ronaldo insists Vinicius stands out. Carvajal further added to his success with a Champions League and La Liga title win with Real Madrid.

In an interview with ESPN Brasil, the former Real Madrid and Barcelona star praised Vinicius’ remarkable progress: “I think Viní deserves it [the Ballon d’Or]. He had an extraordinary Champions League, an incredible La Liga, and continues to evolve.”

Ronaldo recalled the young Brazilian’s arrival at Real Madrid and the strong connection they’ve shared since: “I remember welcoming him when he arrived at Real Madrid, and we’ve always kept in touch. To see his development is just fantastic.”

Reflecting on Vinicius’ impact, Ronaldo concluded, “He’s been incredibly decisive for Real Madrid this year. For me, he’s currently the best player in the world by far.”