Soccer-Vinicius very close to first Ballon d'Or win, says Ancelotti

FILEM PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Real Madrid v Bayern Munich - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - May 8, 2024 Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates after the match REUTERS/Susana Vera

(Reuters) - Vinicius Jr's dazzling performances at Real Madrid have put the Brazilian forward in conversation to win his first Ballon d'Or and manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday the 23-year-old deserved to win the prestigious award.

Vinicius has netted five times and provided as many assists in the Champions League alone this season to help Madrid book a place in the final, while also scoring 13 goals in LaLiga, which they clinched for a record-extending 36th time last weekend.