Vinicius Junior has reportedly missed out on the 2024 Ballon d’Or, despite being the odds-on favourite to win the prize.
The Brazilian had been backed to claim the accolade as football’s finest talent after a superb season for Real Madrid, in which the 24-year-old helped lead Los Blancos to a La Liga and Champions League double.
He scored 24 goals and created 11 more for Real Madrid in 2023/24 and was instrumental to their record-extending 15th triumph in Europe. After scoring twice in the semi-final win over Bayern Munich, he netted again as Borussia Dortmund were defeated in the decider.
Vinicius was tipped to become the first Brazilian in 17 years to win the prize, though looks set to miss out with Manchester City midfielder Rodri leaked to have won the award.
Every Brazilian to have won the Ballon d’Or
Ronaldo (1997 and 2002)
Ronaldo Nazario became the first Brazilian and first South American to claim the Ballon d’Or, following the change in eligibility in the mid-nineties. After a runners-up finish the previous year, O Fenômeno won the 1997 accolade by a huge margin.
He was recognised after an iconic individual season at Barcelona in 1996/97, where Ronaldo scored 47 goals in 49 games to win the European Golden Shoe, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup. He became the youngest-ever recipient of the Ballon d’Or, aged 21.
G⚽️AL OF THE DAY
Happy birthday, @Ronaldo! 🥳🎂🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/7yjlHRKACF— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 22, 2022
Ronaldo also won the Golden Ball at the Copa America that summer before completing a world-record transfer to Inter Milan. His debut season at Inter ended with Ronaldo named Serie A Footballer of the Year.
Ronaldo is the only Brazilian to have won the Ballon d’Or twice, having earned a second award in 2002. He was named football’s finest talent after winning the Golden Boot during Brazil’s World Cup triumph in Japan and South Korea.
Remembering when a 21-year-old Ronaldo Nazario won the Ballon d’Or
Rivaldo (1999)
Rivaldo was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 1999 after inspiring Barcelona and Brazil to success.
He scored 29 goals in all competitions for Barcelona as the Spaniards won La Liga, before starring for the Selecao at the Copa America. Rivaldo won the Golden Boot (tied with the aforementioned Ronaldo) and claimed the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, after scoring twice in the final win over Uruguay.
Have you ever scored a goal like this @RIVALDOOFICIAL special? 🙂🙃 #OnThisDay #LaLigaHistory pic.twitter.com/dgJjES3TBp
— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) February 21, 2019
Rivaldo beat competition from Manchester United treble-winner David Beckham and AC Milan forward Andriy Shevchenko to win the Ballon d’Or.
90s Hitmen: A left-footed force of nature, Rivaldo
Ronaldinho (2005)
Ronaldinho was the planet’s premier talent in the mid-2000s and won the Ballon d’Or in 2005.
The swashbuckling South American helped transform Barcelona following his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain, with Ronaldinho arguably at his brilliant best in 2005.
He led Barcelona to back-to-back La Liga titles in 2004/05 and 2005/06, with the latter coming alongside a first Champions League triumph in 14 years. Ronaldinho was also named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006.
#OTD
📍Santiago Bernabéu
🔵🔴15 years ago the Bernabéu applauded @10Ronaldinho‘s brilliant display! 👏 pic.twitter.com/IFBgHJu5xL— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 19, 2020
Kaka (2007)
Kaka made is three Brazilian Ballon d’Or wins in six years in 2007, following his role in AC Milan’s Champions League success.
The midfielder was magical as the Rossoneri conquered Europe, avenging a final defeat to Liverpool two years earlier with victory over the same opponent in Athens. Kaka’s performances propelled Carlo Ancelotti’s side to European success, scoring 10 times to end as the Champions League’s leading scorer.
Milan legend ❤️🖤#UCL pic.twitter.com/vzm9DMKZ00
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 23, 2024
He scored three times over the two-legged semi-final tie with Manchester United to book Milan’s place in the final.
Read – Remembering the night that Kaka tore Manchester United apart
See more – Iconic Performances: The night Ronaldinho received a standing ovation at the Bernabeu
