‘Vinicius should be targeting Ballon d’Or’

Casemiro has told Real Madrid team-mate Vinicius Junior to start thinking about the Ballon d’Or and other major prizes after making his Brazil debut.

Vinicius made his first appearance for the Selecao in Tuesday’s underwhelming 1-0 defeat to Peru, Brazil’s first loss since last year’s World Cup.

The 19-year-old has started 10 La Liga matches across the past two seasons, too, and Casemiro believes he needs to be aiming high.

“Vinicius has a very good head and, in the past year, he has surprised many people with the football he played,” the midfielder told reporters.

“It is not normal for a 19-year-old boy to do what he did with the Real Madrid shirt. I told him the other day that this year is a year that he has to start thinking big.

“I repeat: what he did last year was not normal. He surprised everyone and showed that he is ready to be a starter at Real Madrid.

“When you are a starting Real Madrid player, you have to think big. Think of the Ballon d’Or, FIFA’s World XI. He is a great player and he has already proven it.