Carlo Ancelotti Backs Under Radar Real Madrid Star for 2024 Ballon d'Or

• Carlo Ancelotti has backed under radar Real Madrid man to win the Ballon d'Or
• He made his choice after Madrid's thumping of Alavez in La Liga on Tuesday
• Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham are the favourites to win the accolade

Carlo Ancelotti has backed Toni Kroos to clinch this year's Ballon d'Or should Real Madrid triumph in the Champions League and Germany emerge victorious in Euro 2024.

Having secured another La Liga title, Los Blancos have advanced to the Champions League final after defeating Bayern Munich, in the semi-finals.

Borussia Dortmund now pose the final hurdle for the Spanish giants to claim their record-extending 15th European crown.

Kroos, who returned from international retirement to bolster Germany's Euro 2024 prospects, has been instrumental in Madrid's achievements this season.

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Ancelotti is so impressed with Kroos' performance that he sees no reason why the Ballon d'Or wouldn't be within reach for him.

"I would like for Kroos to win the Ballon d'Or, but I don't think it's going to happen," Carlo Ancelotti has said via Tribuna.

"But maybe if he wins the Champions League and the Euros, why not?" he added.

Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham are currently leading contenders for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, yet Kroos is expected to secure a spot in the final top 10.

A victory in Euro 2024 would significantly enhance the German's prospects of clinching the award.

The 34-year-old has contributed with one goal and nine assists for Real Madrid in the current season per GOAL.

Change in Ballon d'Or rules

Sports Brief has previously reported that the Ballon d'Or rules were changed in 2021, just after Messi had won his record seventh title.

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The award switched to a season-based format rather than the calendar year and the vote was reduced to the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations.

Updated Ballon d'Or ranking as Vini climbs up

Sports Brief also recently analysed the implications of the UEFA Champions League semi-final outcomes on the 2024 Ballon d'Or race.

The quest for this year's coveted Golden Ball award took a captivating twist after the conclusion of the competition's last four stage.

While Bellingham's emergence has garnered attention, Vinicius remains pivotal to Ancelotti's squad, as his statistics reflect thus far.