The England star's season may have ended in disappointment, but he deserves recognition for an extraordinary campaign.
With the era of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi coming to a close, it appears that neither will win the Ballon d’Or again. Last year marked a nostalgic farewell to this legendary phase, highlighted by Messi's World Cup victory, which granted him one last moment in the spotlight of world football's top individual honor.
As we approach 2024, a new landscape emerges, with a select few contenders poised to claim their first Ballon d’Or. Vinicius Jr., the hero of Real Madrid's Champions League final, is currently favored to win the prestigious award, particularly in the eyes of pundit Rio Ferdinand. However, unlike previous years, his path to the accolade is not guaranteed.
If Vinicius had replicated his remarkable performances for Brazil at the Copa America, and if Spain hadn't clinched the Euro 2024 title, he might have had a clearer shot at the Golden Ball. Instead, attention has shifted to Rodri, Lamine Yamal, and even Dani Carvajal as viable candidates this year.
Jude Bellingham's presence looms large as well. For months, he seemed destined to become the first English player to win the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001. However, his chances suffered due to a lackluster finish to the season and a disappointing European Championship.
Despite this, it would be a mistake to overlook Bellingham as a contender for the Ballon d’Or. He made a significant impact prior to Christmas, and his remarkable performances warrant consideration as the award approaches.
Extraordinary Pressure
Bellingham faced immense pressure going into the 2023-24 season. At just 20 years old, and having previously played in the Championship for Birmingham City, he was signed by Real Madrid for nearly £100 million ($131 million). During his introductory press conference, he admitted that the thought of joining the iconic Santiago Bernabeu left him nearly breathless. He set high expectations for himself, donning Zinedine Zidane's former No. 5 shirt and vowing to help the club reclaim its trophy-winning status after a disappointing previous season.
“A club like Madrid and its fans deserve trophies every year. That’s the standard I aim to help the club achieve,” he declared.
A Stellar Start
Given this backdrop, Bellingham's subsequent brilliance was nothing short of phenomenal. He kicked off his La Liga career with a goal just 36 minutes into his debut, a 2-0 win against Athletic Club, which set the tone for an incredible first month. Bellingham's early performances were nothing short of sensational, as he scored multiple goals, including a brace against Almeria and decisive strikes in close matches against Celta Vigo and Getafe.
The hype surrounding him grew exponentially, with fans quickly donning his No. 5 jersey. His confidence echoed the Galactico era, as he stated, “I’m ten times the player I was last season. I’m absorbing everything from the high level here.”
Bellingham's remarkable start at Madrid is especially noteworthy, considering how many high-profile signings—like Eden Hazard and Kaka—have struggled at the Bernabeu. In a matter of weeks, he became Carlo Ancelotti's key attacking asset, stepping up in the wake of Karim Benzema's departure.
Among the Elite
If Bellingham had maintained his initial scoring rate, he could have ended the season with 53 goals across 42 matches. While he didn't quite achieve that, his contributions remained world-class, helping Madrid secure both La Liga and the Champions League titles.
Ultimately, he finished the season with 27 goals for club and country. Excluding penalties, he scored just two fewer league goals than Erling Haaland and outperformed his Madrid teammate Vinicius in terms of scoring frequency. Bellingham also provided 17 assists, including key setups for Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford during England's 3-1 victory over Italy, as well as Vinicius’ winning goal in the Champions League final.
While Bellingham’s statistics may not rival those of Messi and Ronaldo in their prime, he presents a compelling case among the players discussed as potential Ballon d’Or candidates this year.
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