USMNT players with the most to gain from a Pochettino hire

TBT: Remember when Berhalter played Pochettino 25 years ago?

Ballon d'Or Rankings: Vini at No.1 after nominees announced

UCL Power Rankings: Liverpool & PSG slide after draw

Empty stadiums, fan protests put Leagues Cup at crossroads

Reynolds & McElhenney told they have made Wrexham 'a target'

Neymar sends out strong message on Rodrygo Ballon d'Or snub

Bayern rage after Musiala left off Ballon d'Or shortlist

Cucurella says Haaland took his song about him "personally"

‘Reason why he’s in Saudi Arabia’ – CR7 becomes a ‘problem’

Peru vs Colombia: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

Chelsea to make history? Supercomputer predicts success

Ballon d'Or: Vinicius, Rodri & the 2024 Golden Ball nominees

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="better-collective-widget">{"type":"better-collective-widget","data":{}}</script><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><ul><li>Benzema weighs up Ballon d'Or</li><li>Vinicius Junior among favourites</li><li>Competitition from Bellingham</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Real Madrid legend backs Vinicius Jr to follow in his footsteps and claim 2024 Ballon d'Or after Champions League triumph

LaLiga

Real Sociedad

Real Madrid

<p>Speaking to <a href="https://www.marca.com/futbol/real-madrid/2024/07/21/669ce0a546163f51418b4578.html?utm_campaign=twitter" target="_blank"><em>Marca</em></a>, Benzema revealed his choice to win world football's greatest individual prize. The Frenchman believes Vinicius deserves the award for his performances and impact for Madrid throughout the 2023-24 season.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Vinicius helped steer Madrid to a rare La Liga and Champions League double, top-scoring with 24 goals along the way. But team-mate Jude Bellingham is a fierce contender thanks to his similarly sizeable contributions to the club's success. Vini endured a disappointing international summer, though, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/brazil-dorival-full-responsibility-copa-america-shock-quarter-final-defeat-uruguay/bltd49b30ab09490d29" target="_blank">exiting the Copa America at the quarter-final stage</a>. Meanwhile, Bellingham helped England reach the final at Euro 2024. Rodri is another who could command votes after his role with Manchester City in winning the Premier League again and Spain at the Euros.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Benzema said: "I'm going to say Vini because he deserves it for his season and not just for what he's done this year, but also for what he's done last year, he was also above the rest with his football and what he does with the ball. He's a kid, a complete footballer. He can win a game on his own, of course with the help of his teammates, but he is very good when Real Madrid needs him and that is why I think he deserves it. He is always there and he always shows up. For all of that, my favourite is Vini."</p>

WHAT KARIM BENZEMA SAID

<p>Vini is enjoying an extended break following another long season that culminated in the Copa America. The forward recently celebrated his 24th birthday <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/vinicius-junior-brazil-copa-america-real-madrid-ibiza-24th-birthday/blt58f1170573a5252a" target="_blank">with a trip to Ibiza</a>. Real Madrid, meanwhile, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/real-madrid-pre-season-2024-tour-fixtures-results-tickets-watch/blt3e2b29496c3528e6" target="_blank">will soon embark on their pre-season tour of the United States</a>, where they will take on AC Milan, Chelsea and Barcelona.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR VINICIUS & REAL MADRID?

Real Madrid legend backs Vinicius Jr to follow in his footsteps and claim 2024 Ballon d'Or after Champions League triumph | Goal.com US

Karim Benzema has explained why he thinks Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior deserves to win the 2024 Ballon d&apos;Or.