Vinicius Jr delivered a stunning hat-trick to lead Real Madrid to a 5-2 comeback victory over Borussia Dortmund, further strengthen his position as the favorite for the upcoming Ballon d’Or award.
Real Madrid star player Vinicius Jr delivered an incredible performance, scoring a hat-trick to lead Real Madrid to a thrilling 5-2 comeback victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. The Brazil forward was the star of the night at the Santiago Bernabeu, proving why he is a frontrunner for football’s most prestigious individual accolade.
Madrid found themselves trailing 2-0 early on, but Vinicius Jr’s determination and flair inspired a remarkable turnaround. His first goal, a simple tap-in, levelled the score, but it was his next two strikes that left the home crowd in awe. With Real Madrid holding a slender 3-2 lead and Borussia Dortmund threatening to equalise, Vinicius Jr picked up the ball in his own half, darted past Emre Can with blistering speed, and unleashed a precise shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. He completed his hat-trick in stoppage time, racing 40 yards, beating three defenders, and hammering the ball into the roof of the net.
The Bernabeu erupted, and fans chanted “Ballon d’Or! Vinicius Ballon d’Or!” as the Brazilian removed his shirt and sprinted to the stands to celebrate. After the match, Vinicius expressed his gratitude to the Madrid faithful. “It’s a dream made reality when our fans chant my name,” he told Movistar. “I want to keep rewarding them with more and more goals. I’m 24, and I want to stay with Madrid forever. I want to give everything back to a club which has given me so much.”
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti praised on the forward, calling him “an extraordinary character” and stating that he “will win the Ballon d’Or” based on his performances last season. Vinicius Jr was instrumental in Real Madrid’s La Liga-Champions League double last year, scoring in the Champions League final and earning the title of the competition’s best player.
With the Ballon d’Or set to be awarded on Monday, October 28, Vinicius Jr is widely regarded as the favourite to take home the trophy. Last season, he tallied 26 goals and 12 assists across 51 appearances for club and country. If successful, he would become only the third player since 2007 not named Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win the award, joining former teammates Luka Modric (2018) and Karim Benzema (2022).
Off the pitch, Vinicius Jr also made headlines for his humanitarian work, winning the second-ever Socrates Award last year for his contributions to social causes. Rumours have even emerged that Nike is preparing to release special golden boots in his honour just days after the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Vinicius’ closest competitor for the award appears to be Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who played a pivotal role in City’s Premier League triumph and Spain’s European Championship victory. However, given Vinicius’ electrifying display against Dortmund and his remarkable contributions over the past season, many believe the Ballon d’Or race is all but decided. Whether or not he wins, Vinicius Jr has already cemented his place among football’s elite, and his stunning performances continue to captivate fans around the world.
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