Brazil legend Ronaldo says Vinicius Junior is the best player in the world "by far", as the former Real Madrid and Selecao striker joined calls for the winger to be crowned this year's Ballon d'Or winner.
It has already been a memorable 2024 for Vinicius, who played a starring role as Madrid regained the LaLiga crown, before scoring in their Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
The winger top-scored for Los Blancos with 24 goals across all competitions, with the likes of Carlo Ancelotti, Jude Bellingham and Neymar insisting his exploits are worthy of winning the Ballon d'Or award.
Vinicius would be the fifth Brazilian to win the prestigious accolade after Kaka, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo and Ronaldo (twice), with the latter believing it is a formality.
"He's been extremely decisive this year for Real Madrid," he told ESPN Brasil. "For me, today he's the best player in the world by far.
"I think Vini already deserves [the Ballon d'Or]. I think his time has come. He's had a spectacular Champions League, a spectacular LaLiga, and he's been evolving more and more.
"I remember that I did his presentation the day he arrived at Real Madrid and I got on well with him. I talk to Vini a lot about football and certain details and, looking at everything that's happened, it's a fantastic development that he's making."
Vinicius now turns his attentions to the Copa America, where Brazil are among the favourites to land the crown in the United States.
Rivaldo, who won the Ballon d'Or in 1999, concurred with Ronaldo, and thinks the 23-year-old would be guaranteed the award should he lead the Selecao to glory.
"He deserves the Ballon d'Or," the former attacking midfielder said. "Of course, there's nothing better for him than to secure the award once and for all than by winning the Copa America now, right?
"Today, he already deserves the award, but if he wins the Copa America, even better."
Neymar wanted to 'give up' after suffering ACL injury
Neymar admits he considered retirement after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury while representing Brazil last year.
The Al-Hilal forward has only played 29 minutes since last October, when he sustained the serious knee injury during a 2-0 defeat to Uruguay in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star returned as a substitute in a 3-0 win over Iran's Esteghlal in the Asian Champions Elite League earlier this month, but he suffered a hamstring tear and is now expected to be sidelined until mid-December.
Speaking during an interview for Netflix's new documentary Saudi Pro League: Kickoff, the 32-year-old said his ACL injury was the worst he has experienced.
"Some days when I wake up, I want to give up," he said in the documentary, which detailed his recovery. "I admit, this injury is the one that shook me the most in my career.
"I was really sad, and very down mentally for the first month. I knew it was a serious and long-term injury. Being on the sidelines is tough.
"The beginning of an injury is quite complicated. At the start, you only feel pain. I only felt the pain, I just wanted it to stop.
"I wanted to bend my knee as quickly as possible so that I could regain my movement and make the pain go away."
Neymar then revealed his age made his recovery all the more difficult, adding: "If you don't have the people you love by your side, your family, your friends, then it can be difficult to come back from an injury like this.
"It really messes with your mind and your body. I'm not 20 any more, I was 31 when it happened. I'm very grateful to have my friends and family around."
Brazil 1-1 Uruguay: Valverde and Gerson hit superb goals in drab spectacle
Brazil recovered from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw at home to a stubborn Uruguay side in Tuesday's CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier.
The hosts were booed by some quarters of their own support in Salvador following the result, which leaves them fifth in the table and five points inside the automatic qualification places.
It was a match of few chances punctuated by two moments of world-class quality, with Uruguay striking first.
Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde opened the scoring 10 minutes into the first half, curling into the bottom corner from the edge of the area to put Uruguay a goal up.
But seven minutes later, Gerson scored his first goal for his country to level things up, a brilliant volley from outside the box.
The draw has Uruguay in second place, two points above Brazil, who could have won it if not for Sergio Rochet's fine save to deny Gabriel Martinelli, and five behind leaders Argentina with six matches remaining.
Data debrief: Brazil struggle to break down Bielsa's Uruguay
Despite Raphinha, Vinicius Junior and Gabriel Martinelli all featuring in this game, Brazil could not find the quality to regularly trouble their visitors.
The home side managed just three shots on target during the match – one more than Uruguay.
While they won the xG battle 1.09 - 0.47, it will be a disappointment that they had 18 attempts in total and could only divert so few goalwards.
Brazil 1-1 Uruguay: Valverde and Gerson hit spuerb goals in drab spectacle
Brazil recovered from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw at home to a stubborn Uruguay side in Tuesday's CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier.
The hosts were booed by some quarters of their own support in Salvador following the result, which leaves them fifth in the table and five points inside the automatic qualification places.
It was a match of few chances punctuated by two moments of world-class quality, with Uruguay striking first.
Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde opened the scoring 10 minutes into the first half, curling into the bottom corner from the edge of the area to put Uruguay a goal up.
But seven minutes later, Gerson scored his first goal for his country to level things up, a brilliant volley from outside the box.
The draw has Uruguay in second place, two points above Brazil, who could have won it if not for Sergio Rochet's fine save to deny Gabriel Martinelli, and five behind leaders Argentina with six matches remaining.
Data debrief: Brazil struggle to break down Bielsa's Uruguay
Despite Raphinha, Vinicius Junior and Gabriel Martinelli all featuring in this game, Brazil could not find the quality to regularly trouble their visitors.
The home side managed just three shots on target during the match – one more than Uruguay.
While they won the xG battle 1.09 - 0.47, it will be a disappointment that they had 18 attempts in total and could only divert so few goalwards.
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