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Vinicius' performance against Borussia Dortmund has practically sealed the 2024 Ballon d'Or in his favour
Real Madrid produced a stunning comeback to defeat Borussia Dortmund 5-2 in their Champions League group-stage match at the Santiago Bernabéu, with Vinicius Junior taking centre stage.
The Brazilian winger delivered a sensational second-half performance, scoring a hat-trick in just 30 minutes to propel his side to victory after falling 2-0 behind.
Real Madrid’s stunning comeback
Borussia Dortmund took control of the match early on, racing to a 2-0 lead with goals from Donyell Malen and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens.
The Bundesliga side seemed poised for victory and revenge after their previous loss to Madrid in last season’s Champions League final.
However, Real Madrid, renowned for their resilience in European competition, mounted an extraordinary comeback.
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In the second half, goals from Vinicius and Antonio Rudiger brought the home side level, and Lucas Vazquez scored the eventual winner before the Brazilian star struck two more goals to complete his hat-trick to seal the 5-2 victory.
Ancelotti backs Vinicius for Ballon d’Or glory
Vinicius’ dazzling display earned high praise from manager Carlo Ancelotti, who believes his star player is deserving of the 2024 Ballon d’Or and is already laying the groundwork for next year’s award as well.
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Speaking after the match, Ancelotti lavished praise on Vinicius, singling out his incredible second-half performance as the catalyst for the comeback.
He went on to express his confidence in the Brazilian’s prospects for the prestigious Ballon d’Or, saying, “What I can say about Vinicius is that it’s rare for him to do a second half like he did.
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“He has had extraordinary energy and character. He is going to win the Ballon d’Or for what he did last year, not just for tonight. This will already serve him for the next Ballon d’Or.”
With his coach's full support, Vinicius Junior looks set to become a frontrunner for football’s most coveted individual award, becoming the first Brazilian to win the Ballon d’Or since Ronaldinho in 2005.
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