Ballon d’Or: Neymar Names His Top Pick for the Award, Citing Player’s Life Struggles

Neymar has backed a fellow player for the Ballon d’Or, highlighting the challenges he has overcome and his exceptional talent, making him a deserving candidate for the award.

Newsonline Nigeria reports that Neymar Jr., the former forward for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, has revealed the player he supports for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

Recently, he identified several Real Madrid players as contenders, including Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr. In an interview with Brand Sports, he ultimately chose Vinicius Jr., emphasizing that the player deserves the award for having faced significant challenges throughout his life.

The prestigious Ballon d’Or will be awarded in Paris on October 28.

Vinicius Jr. is widely regarded as the frontrunner for the accolade following an outstanding 2023-24 season with Real Madrid.

Speaking to Marca, Neymar expressed his support, stating, “I will be backing him [Vinicius] for the Ballon d’Or this year. There’s no better candidate. He truly deserves it because he is a fighter.

“He has faced significant hardships in his life but has exceeded all expectations and overcome criticism. He has become an idol for all of us.”