"This season, he was better than Mbappe" – Sergio Aguero names Real Madrid superstar as his favorite for 2024 Ballon d'Or 

Ex-Barcelona striker Sergio Aguero has asserted that Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior should win the Ballon d'Or award this year, claiming that he has been better than Kylian Mbappe.

Vinicius, 24, is currently considered to be one of the favorites to win the prestigious individual honor after a stellar 2023-24 campaign. He helped Los Blancos lift three silverwares, namely the La Liga title, the UEFA Champions League trophy, and the Supercopa de Espana.

Now, Aguero has backed the 33-cap Brazil international to lift the award presented by magazine France Football later this year. The Manchester City great opined (h/t MSN):

"Ballon d'Or? Vini Jr. didn't disappear in Copa America. It's just that Brazil is going through a tough time and he needs a good team. Looking at the whole season, Viní had an incredible run; this season, he was better than Mbappe."

Comparing the attacker's 2023-24 season with Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham's performances last campaign, the retired Argentine said:

"Every time Vini got the ball in the middle of the pitch, you could feel the danger. This season, Vini and Bellingham were key for Real Madrid. I love Bellingham and would rather he got the Ballon d'Or, but you have to acknowledge that Vini was outstanding this season."

Bellingham, 21, relished a sensational maiden campaign for Los Merengues in the 2023-24 season after leaving Borussia Dortmund in a potential €134 million switch. He netted 23 goals and laid out 13 assists in 42 appearances across competitions for his current club.

Vinicius, who scored his side's second goal in a 2-0 UEFA Champions League final win over BVB, netted one goal more than Bellingham past season. He also laid out 11 assists in 39 games in all competitions.

How did Real Madrid summer arrival Kylian Mbappe fare for club and country last term?

Kylian Mbappe, who joined Real Madrid on a free transfer earlier in July, relished a fine season for Paris Saint-Germain last time around. He contributed 44 goals and 10 assists in 48 overall matches for them.

However, Mbappe struggled to be at his best in the recently concluded UEFA Euro 2024. The 25-year-old bagged one goal and laid out two assists in five matches for France, who lost 2-1 to Spain in the semi-finals.

Vinicius Junior, on the other hand, scored twice in three Copa America matches as Brazil were eliminated at the quarter-final stage at the hands of Uruguay on penalties. But, the Real Madrid man's stellar displays for his club have arguably made him a more likelier recipient of the Ballon d'Or than Mbappe.