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.
Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappé has been crowned the Best Men’s Player of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards' Europe Edition, held in Sardinia, Italy.
The prestigious award acknowledges Mbappé’s exceptional performances for both PSG and the French national team, solidifying his reputation as one of the world's best footballers.
Over the past year, Mbappé has been instrumental in PSG’s domestic dominance, as well as France’s strong international performances, showcasing his electrifying pace, clinical finishing, and leadership on the field.
Expressing his gratitude, Mbappé stated, “Winning this award is a great honor. It’s a recognition of the hard work I’ve put in, and I want to thank my teammates, coaches, and fans for their constant support.”
The Globe Soccer Awards, which celebrate excellence in football, honor top players, coaches, and clubs worldwide.
Mbappé’s victory places him alongside previous winners like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Robert Lewandowski, further cementing his place among the sport’s elite.
PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi praised Mbappé’s impact, saying, “Kylian is a phenomenal player and a true leader. He continues to set new standards in football, and this award is well deserved.”
With speculation growing over Mbappé’s future, including potential moves to Real Madrid or the Premier League, the forward remains focused on his current success.
“I always strive to improve and achieve more. My journey is far from over, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
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