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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"channelId":"92686d1e-5985-40e1-80f3-6f5a54f55b39","competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Neymar backs Vinicius Jr. to win Ballon d'Or</li><li>Feels Brazilian 'deserves' the award most</li><li>Real winger currently out injured with a neck problem</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'Vinicius Junior will definitely win' - Neymar explains why Real Madrid star 'deserves' 2024 Ballon d'Or after seeing Brazil team-mate 'suffer throughout his life'

World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL

Brazil

Uruguay

LaLiga

Leganes

Real Madrid

<p>Several top players are in contention to win the prestigious award on October 28, however, Vinicius Junior and Rodri are <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ballon-dor-2024-power-rankings/blt64e16da6b8170bb7" target="_blank">considered to be the two frontrunners</a>. While Vinicius played an important role in Los Blancos winning La Liga and Champions League titles, Rodri helped Manchester City win their fourth consecutive Premier League title and then starred for Spain in their Euro 2024 winning campaign.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Earlier <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/ederson-picks-country-over-club-backing-vinicius-jr-ballon-d-or-over-man-city-rodri/blt6f3e7809979e7b3c#cs773c8f5f91ab7906" target="_blank">Ederson had picked Vinicius Jr. </a>over club colleague Rodri to win the award and now Brazil legend Neymar has shown his support towards his compatriot as he feels that the Real star deserves to win the Golden Ball this time. </p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>As per <a href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/real-madrid/20241014/1002333113/apoyo-neymar-vinicius-balon-oro.html" target="_blank"><em>Mundo Deportivo</em></a>, the Al-Hilal attacker said: "He had a great season, he played a lot of games and I will be supporting him because he will definitely win the Ballon d'Or. I hope he returns to Brazil soon with the trophy, he is a guy who deserves it because he is a fighter, he suffered a lot throughout his life, he was able to exceed all expectations, he overcame all the criticism they made about him."</p>

WHAT NEYMAR SAID

<p>The 24-year-old is currently out of action <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/real-madrid-injury-crisis-dani-carvajal-vinicius-junior-issues-confirmed-club-updates/blta3c04253e3c717f6#cs71e3f8c70b7a6bb7" target="_blank">due to a neck injury</a> that he suffered during Real Madrid's last La Liga outing against Villarreal. It remains to be seen if he regains his fitness before the club's next game against Celta Vigo on Saturday.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR VINICIUS JUNIOR?

'Vinicius Junior will definitely win' - Neymar explains why Real Madrid star 'deserves' 2024 Ballon d'Or after seeing Brazil team-mate 'suffer throughout his life' | Goal.com

Brazil icon Neymar has backed compatriot and Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior to win the 2024 Ballon d&apos;Or.

&apos;Vinicius Junior will definitely win&apos; - Neymar explains why Real Madrid star &apos;deserves&apos; 2024 Ballon d&apos;Or after seeing Brazil team-mate &apos;suffer throughout his life&apos;