Vinicius Junior says he faces a long road to compete for the Ballon d Or, as he tipped team-mate Karim Benzema to be named the world s best player this year.
Vinicius scored the only goal of the game as Real Madrid beat Liverpool to win their 14th Champions League title in May, having also played a key role in Los Blancos dominant La Liga triumph.
The Brazilian scored 22 goals and recorded 16 assists in all competitions during the 2021-22 season, the latter figure representing a team-high total and one bettered only by Thomas Muller (22), Kylian Mbappe (21) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (18) among players in Europe s top five leagues.
Brazil s 2002 World Cup winner Rivaldo recently tipped Vinicius to challenge for the title of the world s best as early as next year, but the winger believes the examples set by fellow Madrid stars Benzema and Luka Modric show he has a long way to go.
It s [the Ballon d Or] something that has to come naturally, Vinicius told YouTube channel Que Papinho.
Karim is 35 years old and now he will win it, Modric won it at 33 [in 2018].
I have many years to evolve, a very long road for me if God wants me to win it one day.
Benzema s total of 59 goal contributions (44 goals, 15 assists) was only bettered by Mbappe (39 goals, 21 assists) in Europe s top five leagues last term, and Vinicius says his fellow Blancos attacker is the perfect role model.
I m only 21 years old. I want to follow players like Karim, Modric, Marcelo, who won five Champions League titles, he added.
I want to get as close to them as possible. That s when someone can call me that [a role model].
Benzema repays the affection I have for him. He was a player I followed for a long time. I m a big fan and being able to play with him today is incredible.
He recently in an interview put me in his top five in the world, so I m really happy.
