Neymar has said he believes his Brazilian teammate Vinícius Júnior will win the Ballon d'Or after his impressive season at Real Madrid.
Vinícius, 23, was named 2023-24 Champions League Player of the Season on Monday after scoring six goals in this season's competition, including Madrid's second in a 2-0 win against Borussia Dortmund in Saturday's final at Wembley.
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Vinícius, who will direct the selectionMadrid's attack in the upcoming Copa América also recorded 13 goals in Madrid's LaLiga victory.
“As for Vini, obviously I think the Ballon d'Or today is his,” Neymar said.
“I sent [him] messages before and after [Champions League final] game. He is a boy I love passionately, a great friend who gave me football. He will surely be crowned with the Ballon d'Or.
“It's amazing. He carries our country's flag around the world and we really support him.”
The last Brazilian to win the Ballon d'Or was AC Milan great Kaká in 2007.
Neymar, 32, Brazil's all-time leading scorer, has been a candidate for the prestigious individual award many times, but has never won it.
The closest he came was a third-place finish in 2015 behind winner Lionel Messi and runner-up Cristiano Ronaldo.
Neymar is still recovering from a serious knee injury he suffered while playing for his national team in October and hopes to make a full recovery to play for Saudi champions Al Hilal next season.
When asked about reports that he is considering returning to Brazilian club Santos next year, Neymar said: “No. What they said is a total lie. There is nothing planned. I have one more year on my contract with Al Hilal. I hope be able to do it.” I have a great season. I missed that last one. Let's live little by little. There is a lot of time ahead. Obviously Santos is my favorite team, one day I want to return, yes, but I don't have anything planned. in my head.”
Neymar signed a two-year contract with Al Hilal last summer after six years at Paris Saint-Germain.
