This Friday, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti praised striker Vinicius Júnior in a press conference and named him as one of the candidates to win the Ballon d’Or, which rewards the best player of the season.
“The Ballon d’Or will not be awarded today. I think Vinicius is doing very well. It’s not long for him, one more game and the final. Then there’s the Copa América. He’s very close and if it ends well, with the final and with the Copa América, you can win”, he stated.
What a night last night!! We’re doing it again… it’s crazy!!! 🤍🤍🤍 pic.twitter.com/HbbIuSycfl
— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) May 9, 2024
The Brazilian was one of the highlights of the Merengue club’s qualification for the Champions League final over Bayern Munich, in a semi-final that ended 4-3 on aggregate. In the first match (2-2), he scored both goals for the Spanish team. While in the return game (2-1), he helped create plays, with dangerous dribbling and passes.
In total, Vinicius played 36 games this season, scored 21 goals and distributed 11 assists. Ancelotti also praised the striker’s technical quality and professionalism.
“When I arrived I had only seen Vinicius on TV. He seemed to me to be a player with spectacular talent. He was able to put many things around that talent. More ability to unmark himself, more efficiency in finishing… And he has done it with spectacular daily work. Always focused on training, with recovery after games… A very serious professional and deserves what he achieved.”
🎙️ @MrAncelotti 🎙️#GranadaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/jzDl9itNiB
— Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) May 10, 2024
With the Spanish Championship title already secured, Real Madrid is preparing for the Champions League final, against Borussia Dortmund. The Italian coach revealed how the planning will be for the remaining four national league games before the continental decision, which will be held on July 1st, at Wembley.
“We have to do a lot of things. Tomorrow we will play a match and we have to respect the rival and the competition. We have games before the final that will help us prepare well. Obviously I will rotate, everyone will play during this period to reach the maximum . We also need to rest because it was a very demanding season. I will give a few days of rest after the games. And on Sunday, after the game, we will celebrate (the La Liga title)”, he reported.
Real Madrid takes to the field this Saturday, at 1:30 pm (Brasília time), against Granada, away from home, in the Spanish Championship.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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