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Ballon d’Or Performance and Criteria
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Creativity and Versatility: Vinícius Júnior is known for his creativity and versatility in attack. Capable of playing in various positions across the attacking line, he uses his pace, quick dribbling and great skill to leave defenders in his wake and prove decisive in front of goal.
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Off-Pitch Impact and Activism: Since joining Real Madrid in 2018, Vinícius has become a leading voice in the fight against racism in football. As well as campaigning against discrimination, he has also set up the Vini Jr Institute, a project aimed at reducing educational inequality in Brazil. For his off-pitch impact, he received the Socrates Award in 2023.
Efficiency Statistics
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Consistent Goalscorer: Since the 2021–22 season, Vini has scored more than 20 goals per season for Real Madrid. At just 25 years old, he has already surpassed the 120-goal mark for the club and become the Brazilian with the most goals in Real Madrid’s history, overtaking Ronaldo, winner of two Ballon d’Or awards.
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Champions League King: Real Madrid have a monumental history in the Champions League, a competition the club have won 15 times. Vini has been decisive in two of these recent campaigns. He scored the winning goal in the 2022 final against Liverpool and also found the net in the 2024 final against Borussia Dortmund. That season, he was also voted the competition’s best player.
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The Ideal Team-mate: As well as deciding matches, Vini also excels in his team play. He has already reached the milestone of 100 assists for Real Madrid and has formed great attacking partnerships throughout his career. His link-up play with Karim Benzema in the 2021–22 season was particularly dominant, helping the club win La Liga and the Champions League, as well as contributing to Benzema’s Ballon d’Or that year.
