New Delhi: Real Madrid’s 5-2 win over Borussia Dortmund showed why they had been crowned the UEFA Champions League 15 times. As the two finalists met for the first time in four months, the Los Blancos team were trailing at halftime with quick goals from Dortmund.
Often known for making brilliant comebacks, goals from Antonio Rudiger, Vinicius Junior and Lucas Vazquez ensured that it was the feat repeated yet again. There have been instances when the star lineup of Madrid hasn’t clicked well, though it wasn’t the scenario on matchday three of the Champions League as Vincius’s hat-trick ensured that his side took home their second win in the competition.
Having lost 1-0 against Lille in the last matchday, Madrid were looking at yet another loss. However, Vinicius was unstoppable as he firmed his claim on the Ballon d’Or. His first goal was a slight tap-in. The second goal saw the 24-year-old with a rapid pace 60-yard run and a fantastic drive into the corner.
🥇 Man of the Match + hat-trick ball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/dQvf1uDCoy
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 22, 2024
Dortmund were struggling to contain the Brazillian winger as he recorded his second goal in Santiago Bernabeu stadium. It isn’t his performance in this game of course that has given rise to the feeling that Vinicius is a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or. Last season, Vincius was the reason that Madrid won both La Liga and Champions League, scoring the second goal in the Champions League final.
Is Vinicius sure of winning the Ballon d’Or?
Across social media, many are of the opinion that Vinicius has almost won the Ballon d’Or, and the rest of it is just formality, with this performance against Dortmund making him a strong contender for this. It is a belief that despite the list having names of players like Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, only Rodri of Manchester City is a serious contender for the prize that is awarded by a jury of journalists from countries that are in the top 100 of FIFA world rankings.
🚨🥇 Ancelotti: “Vinicius Jr WILL win the Ballon d’Or, in my opinion. He will get the award”.
“It’s not about tonight… it’s what he did last season. Tonight’s hat-trick can help his case for next Ballon d’Or!”. 😄 pic.twitter.com/lDZyDZVOgZ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 22, 2024
Rodri helped City lift the Premier League title and win the European Championship with Spain. Still, Vinicius inches out as the contender with his 26 goals and 12 assists from his 51 appearances for club and country.
Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti went on to say that his heroics against Dortmund were enough for him to win the award next season and echoed the feeling that Vinicius was sure of winning it this year.
