Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior has revealed what Ronaldo Nazario has done to help him beat Jude Bellingham to the Ballon d'Or award.
Both players are aiming for their maiden Ballon d'Or, with the award having been dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the last 15 years.
With Ronaldo not even nominated in 2023, Messi stormed to victory after securing the 2022 World Cup with Argentina - but he appears to be a more unlikely winner this time around.
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Vinicius scored Real Madrid's second goal in their 2-0 Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund in June.
He scored 24 goals in all competitions last season - the highest tally of his career - and provided a further 10 assists.
The Brazilian is now the odds-on favourite to win this year's Ballon d'Or ahead of Manchester City star Rodri and Real team-mate Bellingham.
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And in a new interview with CNN, Vinicius has opened up on how Real icon legend Ronaldo Nazario has helped him to gain a crucial advantage in the race for the prestigious trophy.
He explained: "I was with Ronaldo just now when I was in Ibiza and trained at his house, and he told me: 'Train here a few more days, so you are closer to the Ballon d'Or'.
"They are players who did incredible things, and to be able to compete for the Ballon d'Or and to win an award that they won, that would be something really incredible."
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Brazil legend Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or twice in his career.
Although he was signed to Inter Milan when he scooped the 1997 prize, Ronaldo had spent the first half of the year at Barca, while his success in 2002 was after he had signed for Real Madrid from Inter after he won the 2002 World Cup.
Topics: Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid, Football, Ballon d'Or, Ronaldo Nazario
Ryan Smart