SportsNews

“He’ll definitely win”: Marcelo names player to win Ballon d’Or this year

Published

1 year ago

September 16, 2024

Ekwutos Blog

The race for the 2024 Ballon d’Or remains a hotly debated topic, drawing substantial attention and discussion
Several players are emerging as strong contenders to challenge Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham for the award
Marcelo has opened up on who should win the prestigious award, as the Madrid duo will compete with Rodri and Dani Carvajal for the award

Former Brazil international and ex-Real Madrid captain Marcelo has named his pick for this year’s Ballon d’Or winner.

France Football unveiled the nominees for the prestigious individual award last week.

Several Real Madrid stars made the 30-player shortlist following their impressive 2023-24 season.

Los Blancos claimed the UEFA Champions League title, edged out Barcelona to win La Liga, and also secured the Supercopa de España earlier this year, per Eurosport.

The White Angels added the UEFA Super Cup at the start of the current campaign.

Seven Real Madrid players were included in the Ballon d’Or shortlist, with names like Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Dani Carvajal, Federico Valverde, and Antonio Rudiger featuring prominently.

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Retired midfielder Toni Kroos also earned a spot on the Ballon d’Or shortlist.

Marcelo picks his Ballon d’Or winner

Legendary left-back Marcelo has predicted that Vinicius Jr. will take home the award at the ceremony on October 28.

As reported by MadridXtra, he said:

“Ballon d’Or? I think they will definitely give it to Vinícius Jr. Carvajal, Bellingham, Kroos played very well too,” as seen in sportskeeda.

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Vinicius Jr. is a leading contender for the award but faces strong competition from Manchester City’s Rodri.

While Vini Jr. was nearly unstoppable at the club level, his run at the 2024 Copa America didn’t go as smoothly.

Despite netting two goals, the 24-year-old couldn’t replicate his club form in the South American championship, where Brazil was eliminated in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, key players like Manchester City’s creative midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, Liverpool’s prolific forward Mohamed Salah, and Real Madrid’s rising star Rodrygo were among the surprise absentees.

Top 5 Ballon d’Or robberies

Earlier, TUKO.co.ke explored some of the biggest controversies surrounding the Ballo d’Or, focusing on the top five instances where players were deemed to have been unjustly denied the prestigious award.

These decisions have sparked ongoing debate, with many fans and pundits continuing to express their outrage over the perceived ‘robberies.’

SportsNews

2026 World Cup: Super Eagles waiting for FIFA’s decision – Iwobi

Published

5 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Super Eagles playmaker, Alex Iwobi, has admitted they are waiting to see if the team would still play at the 2026 World Cup.

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is optimistic of a potential lifeline from FIFA, after it submitted a petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Iwobi was asked by SuperSport if he would rather lift the AFCON 2025 trophy or qualify for the World Cup?

The 29-year-old, who played at the 2018 of the World Cup, replied: “I mean we’re still waiting, well hopefully we can go to the World Cup, but I feel it’s a tough one.

“It’s a tough one because winning AFCON is like… It’s a great legacy, it’s a great thing to have like in your career, a memorable moment.

“But then at the same time, because I’ve been to the World Cup already, a lot of the players haven’t been. They would like to say ‘I want to go to the World Cup,’ so I can’t be selfish and say win the AFCON and for my teammates to not go to the World Cup. So it’s a tough one. I don’t know. I don’t know.”

Politics

PRESIDENT TINUBU CONDOLES WITH SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE OF THE SUPER EAGLES ON THE PASSING OF HIS MOTHER

Published

1 week ago

January 30, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

President Bola Tinubu sends his condolences

to Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze on the passing of his mother.

The President also extends his sympathies to the family and friends of Mrs Sarah Chukwueze, who passed away on Thursday.

President Tinubu mourns with the Chukwueze family and encourages them to find solace in the memory and legacy of their late matriarch.

“The passing of Mrs Chukwueze, the mother of one of our bright football stars, just a few days after the passing of Super Eagles’ captain Wilfred Ndidi’s father, is deeply saddening.

I mourn with them, and I am with them in prayers during this difficult time,” the President says.

President Tinubu prays that God Almighty will grant the departed eternal rest.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)