Brazil star Neymar has insisted his international teammate Vinicius Jr deserves this year’s Ballon d’Or award.
Vinicius is shortlisted among the candidates for the award, which the winner will be announced next month.
The 32-year-old Al Hilal attacker said of the Real Madrid ace;
“He had a great season, he played many games and I will be supporting him because he will surely win the Golden Ball.
“We have a magnificent relationship, I love ‘Vini’, is a great friend.
“There is no one better to win the Ballon d’Or. I hope he will return to Brazil soon with the trophy, he’s a guy who deserves it because he’s a fighter, suffered a lot throughout his life, was able to exceed all expectations, overcame all the criticism they made about him and today he has become a great idol, a hero for us.”
