Could Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior lose out on the Ballon d’Or to Los Blancos teammate?
Former Bayern Munich wide attacker Ivan Perisic has backed Dani Carvajal to win this year’s Ballon d’Or ahead of Euro 2024 runner-up Jude Bellingham and Brazil forward Vinicius Junior.
Spain win Euro 2024
00:00 - 15.07.2024
Euro 2024: Spain inflict pain on pitiful England
Spain have won all the games in the European Championship leading to the final
The right-back was among the Spanish group that notched the European Championship at England’s expense on Sunday, clinching a 2-1 win after Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal scored either side of Cole Palmer's 73rd-minute leveller, ending La Furia Roja’s 12-year wait to clinch the continental competition and their fourth title.
The Real Madrid right-back returned to the team after missing the semi-final success over France through suspension, having been near ever-present in his five appearances en route to winning his first major success with the national team and second after the UEFA Nations League in 2022-23.
Can Dani Carvajal win the Ballon d’Or?
After a successful season with Real Madrid where Los Blancos won LaLiga and reigned supreme in the Champions League for the 15th time, the wide defender followed that with Spain’s success at the Euros, leading to Persic touting the 32-year-old for the award, even though no defender has claimed the award since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006.
Bellingham and Vinicius Junior were the frontrunners heading into the summer tournaments, with the former representing England at Euro 2024 and the wide attacker playing for Brazil at the Copa America.
Bellingham had a mixed tournament as the Three Lions ended runners-up at Euro 2024 and Vini Jr’s continued inability to replicate his Los Blancos form for the national team was evident as the Selecao exited against Uruguay in the quarter-finals, a game the winger missed through suspension.
17:10 - 09.07.2024
Vinicius Jr pens apology to Brazil after Copa America
After his disappointing Copa America, Vinicius Jr sends an apology to Brazil fans.
What comes next?
The Ballon d’Or voting considers the 2023-24 season — not the calendar year — and will be held on October 28, 2024.