Neymar, the Al-Hilal Saudi forward, stated that his compatriot Vinícius Júnior will "obviously" win the Ballon d'Or after winning the Spanish League and playing a crucial role in the UEFA Champions League title with Real Madrid.

"Regarding Vini, obviously the Ballon d'Or is his. I am supporting him," said the former Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona player to journalists at the charity auction he organized in São Paulo on Monday night.

The number 10 confessed that he supports the Madrid winger "passionately" and sent him messages before and after Saturday's Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, which ended in a 2-0 defeat, with goals from Dani Carvajal and precisely Vinícius Júnior.

"He is a great friend who has given me football. I am sure he will be crowned with the Ballon d'Or. He is incredible, carrying the flag of our country around the world. We are very happy and support him," Neymar declared about his national team mate.

Vini has been chosen as the best player of this last edition of the Champions League, which marked the club's fifteenth continental title under the presidency of entrepreneur Florentino Pérez. This season, he has played 39 matches, scoring 24 goals, according to Real Madrid's records.

In the coming days, the São Gonçalo player will join the Brazilian national team camp in the United States to prepare for the Copa América, which begins on June 20 and could be the crowning achievement of his brilliant campaign.