Neymar gave his opinion about Vinicius Jr. on potentially winning the Ballon d’Or.
Neymar looks serious while wearing the Brazilian national team jersey and Vinicius Jr. bites his Champions League medal. (Source: X, Real Madrid X)
Neymar Jr. is arguably one of the greatest Brazilian footballers of all time, but there is an individual award that he hasn’t won that makes some fans feel that it has tarnished his career. The Al Hilal star never won the Ballon d’Or throughout his career despite being one of the greatest players from Brazil. His countryman Vinicius Jr. has had a tremendous season with Real Madrid and won his second Champions League trophy in his career, which is more than what Neymar has won. Now, the young Brazilian is a frontrunner to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or award. Despite the many comparisons between Neymar and Vinicius’ careers, the Al Hilal player supports him. Neymar said, “I will support Vinicius Junior to win the Ballon d’Or. It is clear that the Ballon d’Or will be won by Vinicius Junior. I support him, he is a boy I love dearly, he is a great friend that football has given me. He will definitely win the Ballon d’Or.”
Neymar was asked if he was unlucky to never have won the Ballon d’Or award throughout his career since he shined for FC Barcelona and PSG. Neymar said, “I’ve been a bit unlucky, having had serious injuries in the last six years. They were not muscle injuries, but rather serious injuries that kept me out of the field for months.”
The former PSG and FC Barcelona star doesn’t feel down about never winning the Ballon d’Or as he said, “But football wasn’t unfair to me? Quite the opposite, football has given me everything I have today. I am very grateful for football. Obviously, the Ballon d’Or is every player’s dream, but I don’t think it’s the best thing ever. Getting people’s respect is already enough.”
The controversial comment made by a former Brazilian player about Vinicius Jr. and Neymar
Former Brazil national team player Jose Ferreira Neto, more commonly known as Craque Neto or Neto, made a shocking statement in regard to the comparisons between Vinicius Jr. and Neymar. Neto believes that no matter how many trophies Vinicius Junior wins throughout his career, he will never be as good as Neymar. The former player said, “Vinicius Jr can win 3 Ballon d’Or, but he will never be better than Neymar. That’s what I think. Now, ball by ball, is Vinicius better than Neymar? Sorry, go.”
