Former Real Madrid and AC Milan midfielder, and 2002 World Cup champion with Brazil, Kaka has identified the player he believes is the leading candidate for the 2024 Ballon d'Or award.
The 42-year-old ex-footballer named Real Madrid and Brazil national team forward Vinicius Junior as the frontrunner for the prestigious prize. Meanwhile, Neymar, the Al-Hilal forward and member of the Brazilian national team, voiced a similar sentiment in an interview with RMC Sport on June 29.
Globo quotes Kaka as saying:
He becomes the big favorite, and we, of course, are here cheering for this to happen. I believe that Vini is today the big favorite for this achievement (Ballon d’Or). I hope no one at the Euro Cup steals his protagonism on the world stage [laughs].
Vinicius has been a part of Real Madrid since July 2018. In the 2023/2024 season, the forward helped his team secure the La Liga title, win the Champions League, and lift the Spanish Super Cup, playing a total of 39 matches across all competitions, scoring 24 goals, and providing 11 assists. The Brazilian striker was named the best player of the Champions League season.
Vinicius' contract with Real Madrid runs until the end of June 2027, and his market value stands at €180 million as per Transfermarkt.