There was a time when Jude Bellingham looked like the clear favorite to win the Ballon d'Or in 2024. In a year that promised to finally see someone else lift the prize than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, who between them had won 13 of the previous 16 Ballon d'Ors dating back to 2007, there was no obvious reason for Bellingham not to factor into the race. Luka Modric (2018) and Karim Benzema (2022) were the only players who had managed that feat, but 2024 appeared destined for new ownership.
Bellingham headed up a powerful shortlist that included Vinicius Junior and his Real Madrid colleagues Dani Carvajal plus Kylian Mbappé. Los Blancos winger Vinicius is currently the bookies’ favorite to clinch the award adjudicated by France Football based on individual performance, team success, fair play, and class; this has long since made up part of Athletic Blaugrana folklore and it has stuck around with popular opinion ever since football took over our screens each week.
Jude Bellingham – 2023/24 Titles & Achievements
Bellingham helped Real Madrid to the La Liga title in 2023/24. Against his old side Borussia Dortmund, Bellingham assisted Vinicius’ goal as the Spanish giants ran out 2-0 winners in the Champions League final.
His form has been just as good. Bellingham scored 13 goals in his first 12 games for Madrid, a record made even more impressive by the fact he’d only managed to score 12 in 92 league appearances for Borussia Dortmund. He rounded off his brilliant season by making both the La Liga and Champions League teams of the season.
In terms of individual honors, Bellingham also picked up the Laureus World Sports Award for Breakthrough of the Year, the Champions League Young Player of the Season, and the prestigious Golden Boy award in 2023.
Jude Bellingham 2023/24 Stats
For England, the Stourbridge-born star has played 11 matches in 2024, netting four goals, including his unforgettable equalizer against Slovakia.
Below are his full statistics for Real Madrid across all competitions during the 2023/24 season:
Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Liga | 28 | 19 | 6 |
| Copa del Rey | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Champions League | 11 | 4 | 5 |
| Other | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| All competitions | 42 | 23 | 13 |
International
Just as good a player, Bellingham has also gone to the center for England. His true moment of fame was the equalizing kick with overhead from Bellingham in the injury time of England's Euro 2024 last-16 match versus Slovakia. Despite being the top scorer of the competition, Bellingham could not steer England off to the top and they had to settle for a second-place finish after being outplayed by Spain in the final. His well-deserved place as the outstanding player in the team was a factor that was a bit set against him also.
Top Plays of the 23/24 Season
Bellingham’s season started fantastically. On the Premiership debut, he blasted a goal into the left corner of the net in a match against Athletic Bilbao in Bilbao. Next, he added two goals to the game the Almatches won 3-1 before setting up with an assist to tie 2 with the other team and completing the show by getting a score against Celta Vigo which later earned him the title of La Liga August Player of the Month.
In October 2023 the youngster scored his first, and second El Clasico goals in a match that Madrid won 2-1 against Barcelona-a match that came as a testament to his abilities. Carlo Ancelotti said this of him – “He looks like a man of experience.” Today, he was stupendous."
Internationally, Bellingham helped England qualify for Euro 2024 at the senior level. He fired the only goal in the match against Serbia and then the famous overhead kick against Slovakia.
Why Jude Bellingham needs 2024 Ballon d’Or
While Vinicius Junior will therefore undisputedly remain a strong center-to-back to clinch the 2024 Ballon d’Or, Bellingham’s contribution cannot be said to be inferior to the efforts of his fellow Real Madrid compatriot. S legislatively, Bellingham contributes more goals than Vinicius during the season. Even though no player on either side won international silverware–England was beaten in the Euro 2024 final and Brazil was knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the Copa America–it's difficult not to notice the impact that Bellingham has on the team.
Off the pitch, Bellingham has perhaps been even more recognized, appearing on the cover of video games and interacting with the fans, which can only be helpful.
As for the other contenders, there are the same strong arguments about Vinicius and Manchester City’s Rodri, but such an outstanding season of Jude Bellingham makes him deserving of the 2024 Ballon d’Or Winner not less.
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