Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Ballon d’Or favourite Vinicius beats Raphinha to European award ahead of El Clasico

Vinicius Junior continues to cement his place among Europe’s elite, as the Brazilian forward was named UEFA Champions League Player of the Week, edging out Barcelona’s Raphinha just days before both clubs clash in the highly anticipated El Clasico.

Both players showcased remarkable performances in the Champions League, but it was Vinicius’ hat-trick that stole the spotlight, setting the stage for a thrilling battle between Spain's biggest rivals.

After Borussia Dortmund took a commanding 2-0 lead with goals from Donyell Malen and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Vinicius Junior turned the match on its head in a breathtaking second-half performance.

The Brazilian winger scored a stunning hat-trick in just 30 minutes, helping Los Blancos overturn the deficit.

With Antonio Rüdiger and Lucas Vázquez also on the scoresheet, Real Madrid’s comeback left Dortmund stunned and the Santiago Bernabeu rocking.

Carlo Ancelotti, full of praise for Vinicius, boldly declared that his star man is a frontrunner for this year’s Ballon d’Or and next year’s as well.

While Vinicius dazzled in Madrid, Raphinha delivered his own statement performance for Barcelona in their 4-1 triumph over Bayern Munich.

The Brazilian forward notched a hat-trick, guiding the Blaugrana to a resounding victory and helping them exorcise the demons of past defeats to the German side.

His electrifying display positioned him as one of Europe’s top performers this week, but it wasn’t enough to surpass Vinicius in the race for the Champions League Player of the Week award.

As El Clasico looms, the stage is set for an epic showdown between these two Brazilian stars, with both Vinicius and Raphinha heading into the clash in red-hot form.