Former Real Madrid star on why Vinícius is more deserving of Ballon d’Or than Bellingham | OneFootball

A one-time member of the attacking ranks at La Liga giants Real Madrid has today backed current Blancos standout Vinícius Jr. to secure the next Ballon d’Or.

Chatter surrounding wide-man Vinícius’ candidacy for the ‘Golden Ball’ has of course begun to mount over the course of recent weeks.

As much comes with the Brazilian time and time again having come to the fore when Real Madrid have needed him most, often taking the attacking load completely on his own shoulders.

Such endeavours have given rise to a stellar haul of 23 goals and 11 assists across all competitions, despite the fact that Vinícius spent a significant stretch of the campaign sidelined through injury.

Not only that, but he is now just a solitary victory away from leading Los Blancos to a domestic and European double.

Calls, in turn, have begun to mount across not only Real Madrid’s fanbase, but beyond, too, for the 23-year-old to be crowned world football’s very best player.

And, as alluded to above, one former member of the attacking setup in Spain’s capital has on Monday thrown his backing behind as much.

Speaking in an interview with Marca, Júlio Baptista provided his take on why fellow countryman Vinícius is just edging out teammate Jude Bellingham in the Ballon d’Or race:

“He has achieved tremendous consistency in important games, and only the best do that. The Ballon d’Or? This year I have no doubt I would give it to him. Between him and Bellingham, I think I would give it to Vini for being more differential in important games.”

Conor Laird | GSFN