Taking advantage of the international break, 'El Larguero' talked to Vinicius to talk about life in Spanish football for the Brazilian. In an interesting chat that covered a lot, the young attacker confessed that he sees himself winning the Ballon D'or in the future. "Yes, I see myself lifting it. When? I don't know... at the age of 25 or 26," he said.
The boldness of Vinicius was talked about a lot on media and social networks but his case is not the only one in recent years. Other footballers, who are still playing, also boasted about being good enough to win a Ballon D'or which, however, they never ended up winning it. One of them, Robinho.
In 2006, just after his teammate Fabio Cannavaro won the Ballon D'or, the Brazilian pointed out: "I know that I am good enough for that and I'm going to work a lot. In two or three years I can win the Ballon D'or or the FIFA World Player." Everyone knows what happened next. It was all talk and he never managed to win the prize.
In fact, when he left Real Madrid for Manchester City, Robinho gave a press conference in a hotel to gave his reasons for leaving. Among them, the need that he had to continue growing as a footballer, to be the leader of a top team and to be able to win the Ballon D'or.
The case of another ex-Real Madrid player, also attracted attention. The case of Mesut Ozil, who arrived at the Bernabeu after a magnificent performance in the 2010 World Cup. Real Madrid sealed his signature and the German included in his contract a clause which stated he would earn a one million euro annual increase if he won the Ballon D'or, a bonus which could never enjoy.
"I have to continue to improve and keep fit. I want to concentrate on that in the coming years. I am convinced that I can achieve in and I am in the right direction," he assured in 2015 to 'Bild'. Ozil left Real Madrid in unspectacular fashion and has been very inconsistent at Arsenal.
More cases, the one of Jese Rodriguez. An inopportune knee injury thwarted his career when he was clearly on the up. At that moment, he was first choice in the Real Madrid squad. On 'Cadena Ser' in January 2014, Jese indicated that in four years, he saw himself winning the Ballon D'or.
Lastly, the interesting character of Mario Balotelli. The now Marseille footballer made a typical Balotelli comment during Euro 2006, a tournament in which he did not participate. "On a scale of 1 to 10, I would say I am a 5. Little by little, I will be at 10 because I want to reach there. I will become a Ballon D'or winner."