Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has thrown his support behind Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or, diverging from his former player Lionel Messi’s choice.
Speaking to TNT Sports Brazil, Enrique praised Vinicius and expressed his hopes for the Brazilian star’s victory. “Who’s going to win it? I hope it’s Vinícius Júnior, a Brazilian. He’d deserve it, for sure,” Enrique shared.
Enrique, however, downplayed the significance of individual accolades in football. “Honestly, as a coach, I don’t really care much about these individual awards. I don’t believe in them at all. They’re just part of the marketing,” he explained, adding, “Yeah, they recognize a player who’s done well, scored a lot, and won titles, but without the team, a player is nothing.”
Vinicius will face stiff competition from players including Manchester City’s Rodri, Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, PSG’s own Kylian Mbappe, and Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman.
Enrique’s endorsement of Vinicius contrasts with Lionel Messi’s selection of Argentina teammate Lautaro Martinez, who enjoyed a standout year with a Serie A title, a Golden Boot award, and a Copa America victory.
The Ballon d’Or winner will be revealed on October 28 in Paris.
