Jude Bellingham vs Vinicius Jr: Former Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho settles 2024 Ballon d'Or debate

Real Madrid superstars Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr.

FOOTBALL Jude Bellingham vs Vinicius Jr: Former Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho settles 2024 Ballon d'Or debate

Jude Bellingham vs Vinicius Jr: Former Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho settles 2024 Ballon d'Or debate

Izuchukwu Akawor • Izuchukwu Akawor • 08:22 - 13.06.2024

Former Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has named his 2024 Ballon d'Or winner between Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr.

Former Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has weighed in on the 2024 Ballon d'Or debate, backing Vinicius Jr. to win the prestigious award.

Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that the enigmatic Mourinho made the announcement during an appearance on TNT Sports ahead of the EURO 2024 tournament.

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Debate Heats Up Between Bellingham and Vinicius

The debate over the Ballon d'Or winner has been a hot topic, with Real Madrid teammates Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr. emerging as frontrunners for the accolade.

Both players played pivotal roles in Real Madrid's dominant 2023/2024 campaign, which saw the club claim the LaLiga and Champions League titles.

Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr. combined for 47 goals and 22 assists last season for Real Madrid.
Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr. combined for 47 goals and 22 assists last season for Real Madrid. (Photo Credit: Imago)

Bellingham, who joined Madrid for a £100 million fee from Borussia Dortmund, scored 23 goals and provided 13 assists in his debut season.

His more experienced teammate Vinicius, 23, on the other hand, found the net 24 times and registered nine assists across competitions.

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Mourinho's Ballon d'Or Prediction

When asked who he believes should win the 2024 Ballon d'Or, the enigmatic Fenerbahce boss was unequivocal in his response:

"Vinicius Jr.," he said in a video shared on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Jose Mourinho was recently unveiled as new Fenerbahce boss
Jose Mourinho was recently unveiled as new Fenerbahce boss. (Photo Credit: Fenerbahce/X)

However, Mourinho did find a way to pacify Bellingham after he predicted that the English boy will be named the Player of the Tournament at EURO 2024.

With the debate over the Ballon d'Or continuing to intensify, Mourinho's insight will undoubtedly be of great interest to fans of both players.

Bellingham and Vinicius celebrate Real Madrid's Champions League win.
Bellingham and Vinicius celebrate Real Madrid's Champions League win.

For Mourinho, who is one of the most decorated managers in the game, his opinion carries significant weight, and his choice of Vinicius Jr. over Bellingham will be closely scrutinised in the months to come.

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Jude Bellingham Vinicius Junior