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Carlo Ancelotti backs Real Madrid star to win Ballon d’Or soon

Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid
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The Real Madrid coach believes one of his players will soon lift the iconic Ballon d’Or award.

Vinicius Junior will become a Ballon d’Or winner in the near future, according to Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Vinicius is among the 30 nominees for the 2023 Ballon d’Or prize. The 23-year-old winger hopes to become the first Brazilian to win the award since Kaka did so in 2007.

“Yes, Vinicius will win it soon,” Ancelotti told TNT Sports when asked if the player has the potential to win the Ballon d’Or.

Under Ancelotti, Vinicius has taken his game to another level. The Brazil international has 44 goals and 48 assists in 116 appearances since the Italian returned to Madrid in 2021.

Vinicius hasn’t had an easy start to the current campaign due to injury woes. Yet, having provided two assists in Tuesday’s 2-1 Champions League win over Braga, Ancelotti believes he is back to his best.

“He’s back, and he’s back in form. He made the difference,” the manager added.

Real Madrid will next play FC Barcelona in the first Clasico of the season. The arch-rivals will meet on Saturday at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium in LaLiga.

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