Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has predicted Vinicius Junior will win the next Ballon d’Or after the Brazilian forward scored a hat-trick to lead a thrilling 5-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Uefa Champions League on Tuesday.
Trailing 2-0 at half time in a rematch of last season’s final – which Real won 2-0 – Vinicius struck three times in the second half to inflict further anguish on Dortmund.
First-half goals in quick succession by Donyell Malen and Jamie Gittens had given Dortmund a two-goal lead at the break.
“Things were very quiet when we got to the dressing room 2-0 down at half time,” Vinicius, 24, told Movistar. “But we listened to the boss [Ancelotti] and agreed one simple thing: if we can score first then we’ll fight back and win once again.”
The 15-time champions duly struck back early in the second period via Antonio Rudiger and Vinicius, before Lucas Vazquez sent Real ahead and Brazil forward Vinicius netted two more inside the final 10 minutes.
After the surprise defeat at Lille last time out, Madrid’s hunt for a record-extending 16th Champions League crown is back on track as they move to ninth in the standings, on six points.
