New Delhi: Formerly of Real Madrid, Karim Benzema has publicly endorsed Vinicius Junior, a fellow Los Blancos player, in his pursuit of winning one of the most prestigious awards in football, the Ballon d'Or.
During his time at Real Madrid, Vinicius played a pivotal role on the team's offensive lineup, contributing significantly to their success. He was instrumental in helping Real Madrid secure the UEFA Champions League title and the La Liga championship. Vinicius emerged as the top scorer for Real Madrid with a remarkable 24 goals across various competitions.
However, Vinicius will encounter considerable competition as his teammate, Jude Bellingham, is also vying for the award.
His representation of Brazil was marred by disappointment, as his team was eliminated from the Copa America quarter-finals by Uruguay.
On the other hand, Jude Bellingham, who played a crucial role with England in the Euro 2024 and reached the final but was unable to secure the trophy against Spain.
Benzema has opted to endorse Vinicius, citing his exceptional performance over the season, not solely for his recent achievements but also for his contributions last season, including his outstanding football skills and ball handling abilities. He describes Vinicius as a dedicated and reliable player, highlighting his indispensable role in Real Madrid's successes.
As Vinicius marks his 24th birthday, he has chosen to celebrate in Ibiza. He is set to participate in Real Madrid's pre-season training camp in the United States, during which they will play matches against AC Milan, Chelsea, and Barcelona.
Real Madrid's pre-season fixtures include a match against AC Milan at Soldier Field in Chicago on Thursday.
