Rio Ferdinand's Champions League final antics suggest the Manchester United legend believes Vinicius Junior is the favourite to win the Ballon d'Or over Jude Bellingham.
Both Real Madrid stars combined to score Los Blancos' second goal in their 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley. Bellingham intercepted a sloppy pass from Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen and quickly moved the ball over to Vinicius who, albeit with a scuffed finish, found the far corner with his effort.
Before the match, Ferdinand said Bellingham may win the Ballon d'Or if he stood out in the showpiece affair in London. Aside from the assist, Bellingham struggled to stamp his mark on the final, while Vinicius tormented the Dortmund backline throughout the whole match.
Ferdinand's reaction to Vinicius' goal suggests he is now leaning on the Brazilian to win the iconic individual award.
When Vinicius found the net, the TNT Sport cameras immediately turned to the Manchester United legend to get his reaction. Ferdinand said: “Vinicus has just taken the Ballon d’Or.
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“Is that the Ballon d’Or in the bag now? Has he gone ahead now for the Ballon d’Or? He’s been dangerous in the second half, then he scores and backs it up. The biggest moments in the Champions League this season, Vinicius has turned up.”
Vinicius has contributed six goals and five assists in the Champions League this season. Four of his goals and two of his assists came in the knockout stages, where Los Blancos faced RB Leipzig, Manchester City and Bayern Munich.
As well as the goal in the final, Vinicius also scored a brace in the semi-final first-leg against Bayern, which finished 2-2. Ferdinand maintained his view that Vinicius may be the favourite for the Ballon d'Or.
When asked to compare Vinicius and Bellingham's chances, the ex-England captain said: "I think if you win the Champions League you put yourself in a great position. I think Vinicius is just shading it.
"I think his finish to the end of the season has been strongest. Goals in the big moments, but the Euro and Copa America is going to have a big part to play in the Ballon d’Or voting as well.”
Ferdinand thinks Bellingham and Vinicius are the favourites to win the Ballon d'Or (AFP via Getty Images)Whether he believes Bellingham will win the prestigious individual honour or not, Ferdinand thinks the ex-Birmingham City captain is ahead of many legendary English midfielders when they were also 20 years old. “His mindset, his mentality we marvel at it,” he continued.
“His ability we all see but I think it’s the mindset and the maturity he shows. This is different. You talk about midfielders with England. We’ve been blessed with some great midfielders.
“Stevie [Gerrard], [Paul] Scholes, Frank [Lampard] we talk about these guys but none of these guys have done what Jude is doing at this age.”
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