Neymar has tipped Vinicius Jr. to win the Ballon d’Or after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid. The 23-year-old youngster scored six goals and provided four assists in 10 games in Europe’s most elite tournament and thus he was also named as the 2023-24 Champions League Player of the Season on Monday.

Vinicius also scored the team’s second goal in the final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley after Jude Bellingham provided him the assist. Furthermore, the Brazilian scored 15 goals and provided five assists in Real Madrid’s La Liga triumph in the 2023-24 season.

“As for Vini, obviously I think the Ballon d’Or is his today,” Neymar said as quoted by 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.”

Meanwhile, former star Kaka was the last Brazilian to win the coveted Ballon d’Or award back in 2007. Neymar, who is considered one of the best players of the current generation, has never won the award. He came third in 2015 behind winner Lionel Messi and runner-up Cristiano Ronaldo.

Neymar is currently recovering from a serious knee injury. 

Asked about reports that he is considering a return to Brazilian club Santos next year, Neymar said: “No. What they said is a total lie. There’s nothing planned. I have one more year on my contract with Al Hilal. I hope I can have a great season. I missed out on that last one. Let’s live little by little. There’s a lot of time ahead. Obviously Santos is my favorite team, one day I want to return, yes, but I don’t have anything planned in my head.”

Last summer, Neymar signed a two-year contract with Al Hilal.