A hat-trick against Dortmund in the Champions League was enough for Vinicius to once again affirm that he is the number 1 candidate for the 2024 Golden Ball title.
Real Madrid’s victory over Dortmund, at Wembley 4 months ago and this week had different scenarios. However, whether it was the 15th European Cup lift or the comeback at the Bernabeu, one thing remained unchanged: Vinicius was the one who brought victory to Los Blancos.
Gradually, the controversy that Kylian Mbappe’s appearance could overshadow Vinicius Jr. has dissipated. The Brazilian striker is still the number 1 star on the Royal team’s attack line. From the beginning of the season until now, he has contributed to the home team’s goals 15 times in 14 matches. Mbappe’s number is 10 times in 13 matches.
Fate seemed to have arranged for Vinicius to be the one to defeat Dortmund once again. When the score was 2-2, the ball seemed to have come to MB right next to the opponent’s goal. However, the French striker was blocked from behind and the ball found Vinicius. Making no mistake, the 24-year-old star upgraded his number to 3-2. Two beautiful goals then came as a matter of course, creating a super class hat-trick for the Brazilian striker on a seemingly endless Bernabeu night.
Although it is known that the 2024 Golden Ball award will be elected based on the previous season’s achievements, the fact that Vinicius has played very well over the past few years has shown that he is as worthy as anyone in this race.
According to The Athletic, no candidates have been informed about the results of the 2024 Golden Ball to ensure all are announced on the night of the award. France Football will interview the Gala winner later in the night and Vinicius is preparing himself to take the noble step.
When the match with Dortmund ended, throughout the Bernabeu stadium, chants: “Golden Ball, Vinicius, Golden Ball, Vinicius…” rang out simultaneously. The Brazilian striker has found these melodies, which are the strongest emotional catalysts before the Gala night next Monday.
Those sounds on the Bernabeu radio last season were for Jude Bellingham but this year, it’s turning towards Vinicius. It is not a betrayal of the fans, simply honoring the most deserving for each moment.
Only one team has ever led by 2 goals, then swam back to a special 3-goal margin, and that was Real Madrid at Anfield in 2023. The second team to do that, was also Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the last match. born earlier this week.
“The Champions League is our tournament, we want to win again and again and again” – Vinicius briefly shared after his hat-trick against Dortmund.
Vinicius is currently not only in excellent form but also dedicated and loyal to Real Madrid. The Golden Ball Award has a rational basis on achievement, but it comes from each individual journalist and emotions are indispensable in human decisions. Vinicius brought the most uplifting emotions and was an indispensable catalyst in every decision.
Next Monday, it may or may not be Vinicius, but if he maintains his current form, the Golden Ball will no longer be a distant dream of helping Vinicius the way he hoped in the first days of arriving at the Bernabeu.