A former Wolves player has been nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, with a player that Bruno Lage snubbed making the shortlist.
The Ballon d’Or hasn’t been of great attention at Molineux since Billy Wright’s second-place finish in the award in 1957.
Wright finished behind Alfredo Di Stefano that year, with the prestigious individual award having little connection to Wolves since.
That is until now, as one former Wolves player has been named in the 2024 men’s award shortlist.
- READ MORE: Former Wolves manager Bruno Lage now set for another job at huge club after Botafogo sack
Former Wolves midfielder Vitinha nominated for the Ballon d’Or
Stourbridge’s own Jude Bellingham was nominated for the award and is amongst the favourites to pick up the prize following his first season at Real Madrid.
Aside from the local boy’s triumph, another player with ties to the Midlands is on the list, as PSG’s Vitinha received a nomination.
The midfielder spent the 2020/21 season on loan at Wolves, playing under Nuno Santo in the Portuguese manager’s final season at Molineux.
Since leaving Wolves, the 24-year-old has thrived on the European stage, representing both Porto and PSG.
Last season saw Vitinha rise to the top in Ligue 1, being one of the best midfielders in the French top tier as he continues to be utilised in a three-man midfield by Luis Enrique.
Such could not be said about the central midfielder in Wolverhampton although, this was due to little fault of his own.
Bruno Lage rejected the chance to sign Vitinha at Wolves
The 2020/21 campaign was a chance for Vitinha to test his ability in the Premier League, something that proved to be difficult for the midfielder under Nuno.
Despite being a highly-rated and technically excellent player in Wolves’ ranks at the time, there was simply no way in for the youngster in his favoured central midfield role.
Nuno’s 3-4-3 system paved no path for any player to usurp the core of Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves, two club legends who left Molineux in 2023.
By the end of his time at Wolves, Vitinha had only secured two starts in central midfield, with the Portugal international lacking the physicality required to make a difference in the English top flight.
Bruno Lage took charge of Wolves after Nuno’s reign, with the former manager declining the chance to sign Vitinha permanently for just £17m at the time.
The deep playmaker left having scored one goal however, his minimal impact at the club stood for an essential period of the midfielder’s career that has led him to a Ballon d’Or nomination, by the player’s own admission.
In an interview with RMC Sport, Vitinha spoke highly of his time at Wolves.
“I didn’t leave my mark. I played little with Wolves, so we can say that, but I think it was very good.
“It brought me things that I probably wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t gone there. I grew up a lot, including off the pitch, on the things I had to learn, on what it’s like to be in a club, outside your country, outside your comfort zone.
“If I could go back, I wouldn’t change anything. Because that’s what made me come here, and have a much bigger background.”
Wolves will always have fond memories of Vitinha when reflecting on his time at the club, with his goal against Chorley in the FA Cup being a highlight.
Things have changed enormously since the midfielder’s strike against the non-league side, with him now nominated for the highest individual award in European football.