Vinicius Junior x Haaland: Champions oppose Ballon d’Or favorites | Champions League

Both of them were born in July 2000, they are 22 years old, they have tens of millions of followers on social networks and they are symbols of a generation and a heavy confrontation. real madrid x Manchester cityin order to Semi-final championHe will oppose Vinicius Jr. and Haaland, two candidates for the Best Season in the World award that combines the best of football: dribbling and goals. Many goals.

Vienna Junior ranked eighth in the last edition of the Ballon d’Or, ahead of Haaland, who finished tenth. In goals and assists, he surpassed the Brazilian No. 2021/22. But the Norwegian used to break records in his first year at Manchester City and, so far, is one of the favorites to win individual awards.

ge brings together some key numbers for players. in occupation and season. Haaland is unparalleled in goals. But Vinicius has more titles and is more active in the other phases of the attacking phase on the pitch, such as dribbling and creating chances. And he achieves his goals and helps.

With 51 goals and eight assists, Haaland has been involved in a goal every 61 minutes on average over the season. Viene scored 22 goals and 19 assists, an average of one appearance every 106 minutes for Real Madrid.

With their birthdays in July, Vinicius Jr. and Haaland, 23, will be at the next Ballon d’Or and FIFA’s Best. Only three players have been voted the best player in the world at that age: Ronaldo (twice a FIFA award), Lionel Messi (twice) and Cristiano Ronaldo.

For coach Pep Guardiola, his number 9 is on the same path.

The Manchester City coach said, “We have lived two great decades with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the top scorers, and Haaland is at this level.”

More than 50 goals in the season may leave the Norwegian striker one step above nepotism, but a potential Champions League title would change Vinicius Junior’s standing in the season. Real Madrid’s president, Florentino Pérez, has praised the need to glorify players in the Brazilian style.

His place is the best in the world. It’s hard to stop, and defenders make a lot of mistakes. We have to defend the players who give a lot of spectacle and make football more beautiful, the manager said, in an interview with TVE.

Real Madrid and Manchester City stars do not hide that the Golden Ball is a goal. But they prefer not to focus on the prize.

– I think everyone does. But I don’t think it’s a good idea to think about it. If you and your team play well, you’ll perform well, start winning trophies, and you’ll likely make the roster. As was De Bruyne. He came in third place and I thought he deserved it. Look at Benzema, he’s 35 and he’s doing much better. In 12 years, I hope to be better than I am today, – said the City striker, in an interview with GQ magazine, in February this year.

I focus my head on teamwork, with my team, family and friends to win as many titles as possible. And, God willing, I can win the Ballon d’Or in the future, – said Vinny, back in March, at a press conference for the Brazilian national team.

Vienna Junior and Haaland will face each other for the first time. Together, they have been involved, with a goal or an assist, in 100 goals for Real Madrid and Manchester City in the season – 41 for the Brazilian and 59 for the Norwegian. The symbols of this remarkable semi-final show that there is a future in football without Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi.