Is Jude Bellingham the favourite for the 2024 Ballon d’Or?
- Bellingham's start to life at Real Madrid has captivated fans around Europe
- England star was nominated for the 2023 award but isn't expected to win
- 2024 could be his year but competition will come from world stars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe
Jude Bellingham is quickly being hyped as the best midfielder in the world, and for good reason.
Having teased superstardom during his successful spell with Borussia Dortmund, the England international has made the Santiago Bernabeu his playground and can't stop scoring for Real Madrid following his blockbuster transfer in the summer of 2023.
While team honours seem almost guaranteed given Madrid's regular success in the Champions League and flying start in La Liga in 2023/24, there is hope Bellingham can become the first English Ballon d'Or winner since Michael Owen in 2001.
While the 2023 ceremony may come too soon for the Three Lions star to be crowned the best player in the world, his electric beginnings at Madrid have got fans wondering whether 2024 could be his year.
Jude Bellingham's history with the Ballon d'Or
Bellingham was put up for Kopa Trophy consideration in 2021 and 2022 but his performances with England, Borussia Dortmund and now Real Madrid helped the former Birmingham midfielder earn his first Ballon d'Or nomination in 2023.
Compatriots Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka are also up for the award, though their chances of victory are minimal with Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland among the runaway favourites.
Bellingham is again nominated for the Kopa Trophy in 2023 and it's expected he'll beat the likes of Gavi, Eduardo Camavinga, Jamal Musiala and Pedri to the award.
How Jude Bellingham can win the 2024 Ballon d'Or
Bellingham's start to life at Real Madrid is quickly becoming the stuff of legend.
Ten goals in his first ten games for Los Blancos endeared him to the club's fanbase instantaneously, his contributions proving pivotal in a number of dramatic and late victories.
He had received similar raucous support from Dortmund supporters as they pushed Bayern Munich to the final day in the 2022/23 Bundesliga title race. A 2-2 draw with Mainz, which Bellingham couldn't take part in due to a knee injury, saw BVB just miss out on the German championship.
At international level, many are wondering if Bellingham is the final jigsaw piece England need to finally end their drought at major tournaments.
The midfielder scored his first Three Lions goal at the 2022 World Cup in the 6-2 win over Iran and was one of few players who looked capable of dragging Gareth Southgate's side back into their quarter-final with France, which eventually ended in a 2-1 defeat.
Euro 2024 could be the perfect continent-wide showpiece for Bellingham to stake his claim for the Ballon d'Or by dragging England to only their second ever men's international title.
Former players are expecting Bellingham to win the award at some point. Paul Scholes said he sees no weaknesses in his game, while fellow former Manchester United stalwart Rio Ferdinand thinks he can win multiple Ballon d'Or trophies.
However, there is no doubting that candidates for the biggest individual prize in football see their chances greatly improved by their club's fortunes. Bellingham and Madrid need to win multiple trophies in 2023/24 and if they do, he'll have every chance of finishing near the top of the pile for the award handed out by France Football.
However, he is sure to have a number of high-profile rivals for the gong.
Jude Bellingham's potential rivals for the 2024 Ballon d'Or
The shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d'Or could look totally different to the 2023 alumni, with a few ageing stars in danger of petering out of contention for the golden ball in the future.
2022 winner Karim Benzema could find future nominations tough to come by now he's playing for Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, while Lionel Messi's chances could be harmed by his switch to Inter Miami.
However, success with Argentina in the 2024 Copa America could be the international achievement needed to keep Messi in contention as he settles into life in North America.
Kylian Mbappe is expected to be a major protagonist in Ballon d'Or shortlists for the rest of his career, but success in 2024 could be dictated by Paris Saint-Germain's progress in the Champions League and France's performances at Euro 2024.
Haaland was one of seven Manchester City players named in the 2023 shortlist and a similar season filled with ridiculous goalscoring will put him among the favourites. However, Kevin De Bruyne's chances took a blow when he sustained a significant hamstring injury at the start of the 2023/24 campaign.
England captain Kane may well be plotting a similar path to 2024 Ballon d'Or glory. Bayern Munich will hope to make a big impression in the Champions League, while goals for England in a Euro 2024 success would put him right at the front of potential candidates.
READ MORE ON THE 2023 BALLON D'OR NOMINATIONS AND PREDICTED RANKINGS
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