Neymar has backed his Brazil teammate Vinícius Júnior for the Ballon d’Or award after his impressive season at Real Madrid.

Vinícius, was named as the 2023-24 Champions League Player of the Season on Monday after scoring six goals in this season’s competition, including Madrid’s second in the 2-0 win against Borussia Dortmund in Saturday’s final at Wembley.

The 23-year-oldVinícius, who will lead also scored 13 goals as Madrid won LaLiga.

“As for Vini, obviously I think the Ballon d’Or is his today,” Neymar was quoted on ESPN.

“I sent [him] messages before and after the [Champions League final] game. He’s a boy I love with passion, a great friend that football gave me. He will certainly be crowned with the Ballon d’Or.

“He’s incredible. Carrying our country’s flag around the world and we’re really rooting for him.”

The last Brazilian to win the Ballon d’Or was AC Milan great Kaka in 2007.

Neymar, who is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, has often been a contender for the prestigious individual award but never won.

The closest the 32-year-old came was a third-place finish in 2015 behind winner Lionel Messi and runner-up Cristiano Ronaldo.

Neymar is still recovering from a serious knee injury he suffered while on international duty in October.

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