The Ballon d’Or ceremony is set for this month, and as it approaches, no clear frontrunner has emerged for the prestigious award. However, Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique shared his thoughts on who he believes deserves the honor during an interview with TNT Sports Brazil.
While this year’s Ballon d’Or lacks a definitive favorite, both Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham stand out as strong candidates, thanks to their contributions that helped Real Madrid clinch the UEFA Champions League and LaLiga titles last season.
Despite their impressive performances, neither player added any further trophies over the summer to bolster their chances. Bellingham did reach the UEFA Euro 2024 final, while Brazil faced an early exit in the knockout stages.
Although Enrique isn’t particularly fond of individual accolades, he expressed a desire tosee the Brazilian star from Real Madrid take home the award.
“Who’s going to win it? Do you guys know? I hope it’s Vinícius Júnior, a Brazilian,” Enrique told the Brazilian media outlet. “He’d deserve it, for sure. But 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. Yeah, they recognize a player who’s done well, scored a lot, and won titles, but without the team, a player is nothing. So, congrats to whoever wins, whether it’s Vinícius or someone else, but I’ll always value the team more.
”Lionel Messi, the current Ballon d’Or holder, is backing a different candidate this year. Instead of his former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappé, he has chosen Lautaro Martinez, his compatriot on the Argentine national team and a standout player for Inter Milan.
Juventus manager Thiago Motta expressed his satisfaction with his team's depth after a dramatic 3-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
The match was tightly contested until substitute Samuel Mbangula scored a decisive late goal to secure the win for the Italian side.
Motta highlighted the importance of squad rotation and the ability of his substitutes to influence games, stating, "A strong bench is what separates great teams from good teams. Every player must be ready to step in and make an impact."
Juventus’ ability to rely on fresh legs late in the game proved crucial, as they absorbed PSV’s pressure before finishing the match on the front foot.
With Juventus aiming for success both domestically and in Europe, Motta emphasized the role of squad depth in maintaining consistency throughout a demanding season.
He praised the performances of his substitutes, particularly Mbangula, saying, "Samuel showed great composure and quality when it mattered most. This is the mentality we need in every player."
PSV, meanwhile, rued missed opportunities and defensive lapses that led to their downfall.
Juventus captain Danilo also weighed in on the importance of the team's collective effort, adding, "It’s not just about the starting eleven; it’s about the whole squad being ready. Everyone played their part in this win."
With this victory, Juventus continues to build momentum, reinforcing their position as a strong contender in the Champions League.
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