Dani Carvajal Endorsed For Ballon D'Or By Former Teammate Amidst Real Madrid Triumphs

Dani Carvajal has been suggested by Joselu as a potential winner of the Ballon d'Or, surpassing his Real Madrid teammates Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham. Both Vinicius and Bellingham have been recognised as strong contenders for football's top individual award after their significant contributions to Madrid's LaLiga and Champions League victories.

Vinicius had 36 goal involvements in the 2023-24 season, scoring 23 goals and providing 13 assists. Bellingham, on the other hand, managed 33 goal involvements with 24 goals and nine assists. Notably, Bellingham assisted Vinicius for Real Madrid's second goal in their Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund.

However, it was right-back Carvajal who made a significant impact by opening the scoring in that final at Wembley Stadium. His crucial role extended beyond club football as he played a vital part in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph. Carvajal started five out of La Roja's seven matches in Germany, showcasing his importance to the team.

Joselu, who recently moved from Madrid to Al-Gharafa in Qatar, expressed his support for Carvajal. He stated to AS: "I have always said it, he is the one who deserves it the most." Joselu highlighted Carvajal's achievements, saying: "He has won everything there is to win, scoring goals, being important, the MVP in finals he would be more than a deserved winner."

The last defender to win the Ballon d'Or was Fabio Cannavaro in 2006 after leading Italy to World Cup victory. Since then, attackers have dominated the award with Luka Modric being the only non-forward recipient in 2018. Lionel Messi (eight times), Cristiano Ronaldo (five), and Karim Benzema (once) have all claimed it during this period.

Carvajal’s consistent performances for both club and country make him a noteworthy candidate for this prestigious honour. His contributions on both ends of the pitch highlight his versatility and importance to his teams' successes.

The recognition from Joselu adds weight to Carvajal’s candidacy for the Ballon d'Or. As a player who has excelled in crucial moments and consistently delivered high-level performances, Carvajal stands out among his peers.

While forwards often receive more attention for such awards, Carvajal’s case demonstrates that defenders can also be pivotal in achieving team success. His journey through an impressive season with Real Madrid and a victorious campaign with Spain underscores his value.

This endorsement from Joselu could influence opinions within the football community regarding Carvajal’s deservingness of the Ballon d'Or. It remains to be seen if this recognition will translate into votes when the award is decided.

Carvajal’s potential win would break a long-standing trend favouring attackers and highlight the critical roles played by defenders in modern football. His achievements this season certainly make him a strong contender for football’s highest individual accolade.