The Ballon d’Or ceremony is set for this month, and as it approaches, no clear frontrunner has emerged for the prestigious award. However, Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique shared his thoughts on who he believes deserves the honor during an interview with TNT Sports Brazil.
While this year’s Ballon d’Or lacks a definitive favorite, both Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham stand out as strong candidates, thanks to their contributions that helped Real Madrid clinch the UEFA Champions League and LaLiga titles last season.
Despite their impressive performances, neither player added any further trophies over the summer to bolster their chances. Bellingham did reach the UEFA Euro 2024 final, while Brazil faced an early exit in the knockout stages.
Although Enrique isn’t particularly fond of individual accolades, he expressed a desire tosee the Brazilian star from Real Madrid take home the award.
“Who’s going to win it? Do you guys know? I hope it’s Vinícius Júnior, a Brazilian,” Enrique told the Brazilian media outlet. “He’d deserve it, for sure. But honestly, as a coach, I don’t really care much about these individual awards. I don’t believe in them at all.
“They’re just part of the marketing. Yeah, they recognize a player who’s done well, scored a lot, and won titles, but without the team, a player is nothing. So, congrats to whoever wins, whether it’s Vinícius or someone else, but I’ll always value the team more.
”Lionel Messi, the current Ballon d’Or holder, is backing a different candidate this year. Instead of his former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappé, he has chosen Lautaro Martinez, his compatriot on the Argentine national team and a standout player for Inter Milan.
Josh Acheampong, the promising young right-back, has reportedly been sidelined by Chelsea until he signs a new contract, according to The Athletic. The 18-year-old is highly regarded by the club, having made a brief first-team appearance under manager Enzo Maresca, where he played 27 minutes in a Carabao Cup match against Barrow.
Despite his contract running until 2026, discussions are ongoing regarding his long-term future at Chelsea, but no agreements have been reached. As a result, Acheampong has seen limited action lately, even with the U21 squad.
Acheampong made his Premier League debut last season in a 2-0 victory over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge and was part of Chelsea's pre-season tour in America. However, with top-quality players like Reece James and Malo Gusto ahead of him in the right-back position, securing regular minutes in the first team poses a significant challenge.
Chelsea's management appears to be taking a firm stance on contract negotiations, evident in their approach with other academy stars like Conor Gallagher and Mason Mount. This situation has understandably led to speculation about Acheampong's future, with reports suggesting he is attracting interest from clubs abroad, including a surprising link to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
As the teenager navigates this uncertain period, he has expressed readiness for any first-team opportunities that may arise. However, with his current status, fans are left hoping that this situation does not lead to a surprise exit, as Chelsea looks to secure the future of another talented academy product.
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