Dorival Junior comes out in defense of Vini Jr, for the Ballon d'Or award

The coach of the Brazilian national team, Dorival Júnior, expressed dissatisfaction with the result of this year's Ballon d'Or award, in which Brazilian striker Vinicius Júnior finished in second place. In direct statements, Dorival emphasized that, despite respecting the winning player, Vinicius' performance last season deserved higher recognition. The statement brought up a debate about evaluation criteria, as the Real Madrid player was one of the most influential on the field, with a decisive participation in goals and assists.

 A HEADACHE TO SOLVE

The Bola de Gold, awarded by France magazine Football, is one of the most prestigious individual awards of world football and attracts attention and discussions with each edition. This year, the achievement was awarded to an athlete whose statistics are also remarkable, but for Dorival Júnior, Vinicius Júnior would have played a more impactful role, considering his intense and crucial performance in the main competitions of the season. “Nothing against whoever ended up winning the award. However, the work that Vini did should have received different attention,” highlighted Dorival, stressing that the decision was "unfair" for a player who showed quality, intensity and an essential contribution to the Madrid team.

In Dorival's vision, Vinicius Júnior presented numbersand performances that place him as a of the most complete athletes today. His constant offensive presence, combined with his ability to decide games at critical moments, were characteristics that Dorival believes were underestimated in the award. He mentioned that, for an elite athlete like Vinicius, recognition by the Ballon d'Or would be deserved after a season in which he stood out as a key player in winning vital points and in the team's technical evolution. “If there was a decisive, acute and lethal athlete last season, it was him,” stated the National Team coach, emphasizing that the attacker's performance on the field goes beyond conventional statistics, including dribbling, speed and a constant threat to the opponent.

Dorival Júnior's support for the Brazilian player becomes even more relevant in the context of the Brazilian team. The coach's leadership reinforces the trust placed in Vinicius Júnior, not just as an individual talent, but as a strategic and essential player for the next international competitions. For many analysts, Dorival's vision indicates that the Seleção should build its offensive scheme around Vinicius' skills, making the most of the potential that the athlete showed at clubs and in national squads.

THE PLAYER  MUCH MORE EFFICIENT 

Dorival Júnior's criticisms also highlight a frequently discussed point in football: the award criteria. The Ballon d'Or decision is not always in line with popular opinion or performance indices. Several factors are analyzed, such as titles won, performance in prominent competitions and even more subjective aspects, such as the player's popularity. However, for Dorival, Vinicius Júnior's last season was proof of his technical ability and importance on the global football scene, positioning him among today's greats.