Vinicius Jr seizes the spotlight as defending Champions League winners Real Madrid take on Lille

MADRID – Real Madrid's rising star Vinicius Jr has set his sights on winning his first Ballon d'Or in Paris this October. However, before that, he will kick off the month with a crucial Champions League clash against Lille in France on October 2nd. The young forward is determined to make a big impression on the pitch and prove himself as a contender for the prestigious award.

With star summer signing Kylian Mbappe recovering from a thigh injury, Vinicius has taken the reins once again as Madrid’s key attacking influence.

The reigning European champions are unbeaten in 14 matches on the continent and after a hard-fought win over VfB Stuttgart on the opening day, are aiming to follow that up with victory at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Last season, Vinicius endured a sluggish start but hit form in the second half of the campaign to help Real earn a record-extending 15th European Cup triumph.

Despite brief teething problems as he and Mbappe work out how to play together in the first weeks of this season, the pair seem to be forging a good relationship before the Frenchman’s injury.

Real named Mbappe in their squad to face Lille but he is unlikely to start and may not feature at all. The forward was expected to be out until after the upcoming international break.

“We’re used to playing without (Mbappe) because last year he wasn’t here,” said manager Carlo Ancelotti on Sept 28, before backing Vinicius to be crowned the world’s best player.

“I think so, he deserves it for what he did last year, for his impact in the Champions League, scoring in the semi-final and final – I think he will win,” continued the Italian.

Mbappe’s arrival in Madrid at the end of his Paris-Saint Germain contract raised questions about how he and Vinicius would fit together, as both like to play coming in off the left flank.

Thus far, Ancelotti has kept Vinicius in his favoured position, usually lining up with Mbappe in the middle.

Vinicius was criticised in his homeland after disappointing displays at the Copa America and then in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Brazil’s new coach Dorival Junior tried to ease the pressure on the forward.

“We are calm and can wait for the moment when everything blossoms,” he said last week.

Last weekend, Real outplayed rivals Atletico Madrid and Vinicius supplied Eder Militao’s opening goal, and although the match eventually finished 1-1, Los Blancos moved within three points of league leaders Barcelona.

Spain’s Sports Minister Pilar Alegria said on Oct 1 that there will be “forceful and severe” sanctions on those responsible for violent incidents during the Madrid derby at the Metropolitano on Sept 29.

Referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer suspended the match for around 20 minutes after some Atletico ultras hurled objects onto the pitch, targeting Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

The Spanish government intends to eradicate violence at stadiums, Alegria told a news conference.

Atletico on Sept 30 said they have imposed a permanent stadium ban on a fan police identified as throwing an object onto the pitch. AFP,