Carlo Ancelotti Predicts Vinicius Junior Will Win Ballon D'Or After Stunning Performance

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Carlo Ancelotti is confident that Vinicius Junior will claim the Ballon d'Or this season. This belief follows Vinicius's impressive hat-trick in Real Madrid's 5-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund. The match, a repeat of their Champions League final, saw Dortmund initially leading with goals from Donyell Malen and Jamie Gittens. However, Real Madrid staged a remarkable comeback in the second half.

Ancelotti praised Vinicius for his performance, especially highlighting his character rather than just his goal-scoring ability. "What I can say is that it's rare to see a player who plays a second half like Vinicius did," Ancelotti remarked. "And not because of the three goals, but because of his character; he's extraordinary." He believes Vinicius deserves the Ballon d'Or for his contributions last year.

Vinicius has been instrumental for Real Madrid since last season, contributing to 50 goal involvements across all competitions. His tally includes 32 goals and 18 assists in 53 matches. These performances have positioned him as a strong contender for the prestigious award, according to Ancelotti.

The Brazilian forward was pivotal in turning the game around against Dortmund. After Antonio Rudiger's header reduced the deficit, Vinicius equalised shortly after. Lucas Vazquez then completed the comeback before Vinicius added two more goals to secure his third hat-trick for Los Blancos.

The first half was challenging for Real Madrid, managing only one shot on target from nine attempts. Despite trailing by two goals at halftime, there was no panic among Ancelotti's players. "We lived it calmly," Ancelotti stated about their halftime approach. They adjusted their system and increased intensity after the break.

In the second half, Real Madrid dominated with an expected goals (xG) total of 2.41 compared to Dortmund's 0.09. This turnaround marked their first Champions League win after trailing by two goals at halftime under Ancelotti's leadership.

Ancelotti emphasised learning from their second-half performance, aiming to start future games with similar intensity without waiting to concede first. "We were timid in the first half," he admitted, noting improvements in quality and pressure during the latter stages.

This victory not only showcased Real Madrid's resilience but also highlighted Vinicius Junior's growing influence on the team’s success this season.