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The campaign for Vinicius Junior (23) to land his first Ballon d'Or is well underway, but the Real Madrid forward has his priorities straight. Before worrying about individual accolades, the Brazilian attacker is aiming to claim a second Champions League triumph on Saturday when Los Blancos face Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
Vinicius was the man who brought Real Madrid their record 14th European Cup in 2022, stealing into the area from the left and pouncing from close range in the 1-0 win over Liverpool. It was a simple finish but one he had failed to make before, multiple times, in what proved a tricky start to life at Madrid. Thrown into the void left by departed all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018, Vinicius started off as a laughing stock, given his profligacy.
After coach Carlo Ancelotti returned for a second stint at the helm in 2021, the Brazilian proved the main beneficiary. After 14 goals in three seasons before the Italian's arrival, Vinicius netted 22 under Ancelotti's guidance. The 22nd was in Paris against Jurgen Klopp's Reds, just reward for Vinicius' transformation. It was no fluke, with the forward adding 23 goals the following year and he has 23 again ahead of the final against Bundesliga side Dortmund.
Vinicius has also profited from Ancelotti changing the system this season to accommodate Jude Bellingham's arrival and plug defensive deficiencies. Ancelotti has largely deployed Vinicius as a central striker, a role which the winger took time to adapt to. "Now I can play in more positions and that's how I've made my game a lot better than when I arrived here," Vinicius told reporters ahead of the final. "I keep evolving, and I want to keep evolving until the last day of my career, as Toni Kroos is doing."
German midfield metronome Kroos has been one of several good influences keeping the 23-year-old calm amid the focus and pressure. Ancelotti's guidance is crucial though and one of his greatest feats has been to turn Vinicius from a rough diamond into an elite star. Asked if he would take a 1-0 win over Dortmund like two years ago against Liverpool, with him scoring the winner, Vinicius replied "for sure". "With a goal from anyone," he continued, aiming for the Champions League above any individual considerations. "I've never thought about (winning the Ballon d'Or)," said Vinicius. "The best thing that can happen this season is winning the Champions League."
