Carlo Ancelotti praised Vinícius Júnior’s “extraordinary character” and “energy” after the Ballon d’Or candidate scored a second-half hat-trick in Real Madrid’s 5-2 Champions League comeback against Borussia Dortmund.

Madrid trailed 0-2 at half-time at the Bernabéu – after Donyell Malen and Jamie Gittens scored for the visitors – before goals from Antonio Rüdiger, Vinícius and Lucas Vázquez put the European champions ahead.

Brazil international Vinicius scored two more goals to complete his hat-trick and leave Madrid in a positive mood ahead of Saturday’s Clásico against Barcelona.

“It’s unusual for a player to have a second half like he did,” Ancelotti said in his post-match press conference. “He played with energy and intensity, with extraordinary character.”

Vinicius’ hat-trick came less than a week before the 2024 men’s Ballon d’Or winner was due to be confirmed at a ceremony in Paris.

“I think Vinicius will win the trophy, but not because of what he did tonight,” Ancelotti said. “It will be because of what he did last season. Tonight’s three goals will help him win the next Ballon d’Or!”

“We know that at home, with our fans, anything can happen,” Vinicius told Movistar. “When we came into the dressing room (at half-time) we were very quiet, we just listened to the boss. And he said one thing: if we score the first goal, we will come back. And we did that.”

“It’s something you feel sometimes on the pitch,” said goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who made five saves in the match. “I don’t want to say that you feel the opponent’s fear, but you do feel that after the first goal, with the stadium, we will score goals.”

Ancelotti criticized his team’s attitude in the first half but said they had delivered “our best second half of this season”.

“We started the first half without much intensity,” he said. “We were too timid. We can play with more energy and take risks.”

Real Madrid striker Rodrygo left the match in the 85th minute with a muscle injury and is doubtful he will play against Barcelona next Saturday.