Ballon d'Or or Champions League: Vinicius Junior Picks the Trophy He Wants to Win

• Vinicius Junior has been highly tipped to win the Ballon d'Or
• But the Brazilian international has set his priorities straight
• Real Madrid will face Dortmund in the Champions League final

The campaign for Vinicius Junior to secure his first Ballon d'Or is in full swing, but the Real Madrid forward remains focused on the bigger picture.

Prioritising team success over individual honours, the Brazilian star aims to clinch a second Champions League title this Saturday as Los Blancos face Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.

The 23-year-old was the hero who delivered Real Madrid their record 14th European Cup in 2022, darting into the box from the left and scoring the decisive goal in the 1-0 victory over Liverpool.

It was a simple finish but one he had failed to make before, multiple times, in what proved a tricky start to life at Madrid.

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Vinicius has 17 goals in his last 23 games, including a brace against Bayern Munich in the semi-final when he ran Joshua Kimmich ragged.

Asked if he would take a 1-0 win over Dortmund like two years ago against Liverpool, with him scoring the winner, Vinicius replied "for sure".

"With a goal from anyone," he continued, aiming for the Champions League above any individual considerations.

"I've never thought about (winning the Ballon d'Or)," said Vinicius via Yahoo Sports.

"The best thing that can happen this season is winning the Champions League."

No longer able to laugh at Vinicius, some opposition fans have turned instead to hate. The past two seasons have seen a spate of ugly racial abuse cases aimed at him when playing on the road in Spain.

Bellingham chooses Vinicius as Ballon d'Or favourite

With the UCL final and the impending Copa America and European Championships likely to influence the race for the Ballon d'Or, Bellingham has weighed in on the discussion.

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The Stourbridge-born Three Lions midfielder suggested that his teammate, Vinicius, deserves to win the Ballon d'Or ahead of him.

"Ballon d’Or? For me, Viní Jr is the best in the world," he told The Athletic, as quoted by MadridXtra. "He creates magic out of nothing. He has everything to be the best."

Brazil coach insists Vinicius deserves Ballon d'Or

Relatedly, Sports Brief reported that Brazil coach, Dorival Junior, has articulated why it would be a 'football sin' if Vinicius Junior does not win the 2024 Ballon d'Or.

Sharing his perspective on the world's best footballer, Dorival firmly believes that Vinicius deserves the prestigious award due to his exceptional efforts this season.

The national coach contended that neither the outcome of the Euros nor the Copa America should impede the 23-year-old's chances of clinching the Ballon d'Or.