Jude Bellingham’s remarkable performance in El Clasico has propelled him to the forefront of the race for the Ballon d’Or. The English midfielder’s 91st-minute winner against Barcelona not only all but secured a potential 36th La Liga title for Real Madrid but also solidified his status as a leading contender for the most prestigious individual prize in football.
Bellingham’s sensational debut season in Spain has been nothing short of extraordinary. Arriving from Borussia Dortmund this summer in a £115m deal, the 20-year-old has already netted an astonishing 21 goals and assisted another 10 in just 36 appearances across all competitions. His contributions have not only propelled Real Madrid towards a league title but have also helped secure a place in the Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich.
Bellingham’s jaw-dropping performances have earned him widespread recognition and placed him as the frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or. William Hill currently lists him as the 5/2 favorite, ahead of world-class stars like Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane. His impressive performances could potentially break England’s 23-year wait for a Ballon d’Or winner, with Phil Foden also in contention.
With almost every major contender for the award expected to win a major club trophy this season, the deciding factor could rest on the outcome of the Euro 2024 tournament this summer. Bellingham, Foden, and Kane will play crucial roles for England, while Rodri and Mbappe will represent Spain and France respectively. Stars like Vinicius Jr and Lionel Messi will need to showcase their magic in the Copa America to stay in the running, while Mohamed Salah’s hopes were dashed after Egypt’s early exit from the AFCON.
