Vinicius Jr. equals Lionel Messi’s record after UCL win to propel Ballon d’Or dreams

Edited By: Abhinav Singh
London Updated: Jun 02, 2024, 05:38 PM(IST)

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior equals Lionel Messi's record Photograph:( AFP )

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Messi won his first Ballon d'Or at the age of 22 and there is a high possibility that the Brazilian might sweep this year's award which has seen a duopoly of the Argentine and Cristiano Ronaldo over the last decade-and-a-half

Vinicius Junior has strengthened his Ballon d'Or credentials after firing Real Madrid to a record-extending 15th UEFA Champions League title on Saturday (Jun 1). In doing so, the forward equalled the record set by Lionel Messi in the knockout stages of the tournament. 

According to Opta, after his goal in Saturday's final, Vini Jr. took his goal tally in the knockouts of the continental tournament to 11. Overall, he now has 22 goal involvements, including 11 assists, which is the joint most by any player before turning 24, alongside Messi. 

Messi won his first Ballon d'Or at the age of 22 and there is a high possibility that the Brazilian might sweep this year's award which has seen a duopoly of the Argentine and Cristiano Ronaldo over the last decade-and-a-half. 

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Vini Jr. planted the final dagger in Borussia Dortmund's fairytale of winning the UCL title by slotting the ball past a diving Gregor Kobel in the 83rd minute of the match after an error from Ian Maatsen allowed Jude Bellingham to serve the goal on a platter to the Brazilian. 

Prior to Vinicius' goal, it was Dani Carvajal that opened the scoring by heading the ball from an immaculate delivery, fired in from the corner by a departing Toni Kroos. Dortmund had dominated the game up until then and could have easily scored three or more goals if the forward line had kept its composure.   

Vini deserves the Ballon d'Or: Ancelotti 

After the match, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who won his fifth UCL title in his managerial career, said Vinicus should lift the 2024 Ballon d'Or.

“Vini Jr. deserves the Ballon d’Or. I’ve no doubts,” said a beaming Ancelotti. 

Club president Florentino Perez echoed the same sentiments as Ancelotti and backed Vinicius for glory.

"Vini Jr. should win Ballon d’Or. There is no doubt," Perez said after the match.

Also read | ‘This competition gives me fantastic happiness’, says Ancelotti after Real Madrid’s 15th UCL title

Vini Jr. ended the 2023-24 campaign with 24 goals in 39 games across all competitions. Apart from the UCL, he was pivotal in Madrid winning the La Liga as well as the Supercopa de España.  

If he manages to bag the Copa America, starting later this month with Brazil, it would confirm the top title for him. He would be the first amongst the new generation of players, comprising the likes of Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane to win the illustrious award. 

(With inputs from agencies)

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