Carlo Ancelotti picks Vinicius Jr as his 2024 Ballon d'Or winner

Carlo Ancelotti has made his pick for the Ballon d'Or, with Dani Carvajal, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Jr. all vying for the award.

Bellingham, Vinicius and Carvajal have all been tipped to potentially win the Ballon d'Or in October, after Madrid won La Liga and the Champions League.

The England international enjoyed a sensational debut season and guided England to the final of Euro 2024, Vinicius registered 35 goal involvements in 39 games for the Spanish giants, and Carvajal won the European Championship with Spain after his trophy-laden club campaign.

Ancelotti has weighed in on the prospect of one of his players winning the Ballon d'Or once the ceremony rolls around. Lionel Messi is the current holder of the award, but Karim Benzema was the last Madrid player to win the award, doing so in 2022.

Ancelotti told the Obi One podcast: "My opinion on who's gonna win, Vinicius Jr because he is a talented player. He did really well last season. It's true that Carvajal was also really well because Carvajal won the league, won the Champions League, scoring, and won the European Cup. And Jude did a fantastic season, winning the Champions League and winning the league. It was a big surprise, the best player of the league. I think it's not the most important. Try to ask the player, if you interview the player, 'do you prefer to win the Champions League or the Ballon d'Or'? Champions League!

Real are preparing for the new season as they bid to once again win La Liga and the Champions League. Their chances are undoubtedly boosted by the signing of Kylian Mbappe, with the PSG star set to mix it up wtih the Ballon d'Or candidates.