The Copa América in the United States will be the stage for one of the great battles for the Ballon d'Or between Vinícius Júnior, the most in-form footballer of the moment, and Lionel Messi, considered by many to be the best in the world as long as he remains active.

The Real Madrid forward leads a Brazilian national team without Neymar, who is still sidelined with a torn cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee, and is in the process of rebuilding after a 2023 full of bad news.

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The duel is set. The winner will get closer to the Ballon d'Or. Messi won the last one, his eighth. Vinicius is chasing his first and Brazil's first since Kaká won it in 2007.

The player from São Gonçalo has just had an exceptional season with Real Madrid: La Liga champion, Spanish Super Cup champion, and Champions League champion, being crucial in the semifinals and the final against Borussia Dortmund. In total, 24 goals and 9 assists in 39 matches.

But Vinícius, about to turn 24, still needs to show with the national team the outstanding level he has reached with his club.

At almost 37 years old, Messi faces this Copa América without the pressure that came with wearing the Albiceleste before Qatar 2022.

He arrives relieved and with a more than solidified group that has already shown its strength in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, leading with five wins and one loss in the six matches played so far. At the club level, so far this season he has scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists in 15 matches with Inter Miami.

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