- Jude Bellingham clinches the 2024 Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award, making history as the first footballer to achieve this remarkable feat
Jude Bellingham, the 20-year-old midfield sensation, has shattered records and captivated football fans worldwide. His meteoric rise from Birmingham City to Borussia Dortmund and now Real Madrid has been nothing short of remarkable. And now, he’s etched his name in history as the first-ever footballer to claim the prestigious Laureus World Sports Breakthrough of the Year award.
Bellingham’s £89 million transfer to Real Madrid last summer raised eyebrows, but he has silenced doubters with his jaw-dropping performances. His 17 goals in La Liga this season include a dramatic winner against Barcelona in El Clasico, a stunning equalizer from 25 meters, and a 92nd-minute clincher to secure a 2-1 victory. Notably, he scored ten goals in his first ten matches for the club.
But it’s not just about goals. Bellingham’s grit, vision, and fearlessness on the pitch have made him a linchpin for Real Madrid. His decisive penalty helped the team eliminate Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-final. The footballing world is witnessing the emergence of a true superstar.
As the Laureus ceremony unfolded, Bellingham stood tall among legends. While tennis maestro Novak Djokovic claimed the Sportsman of the Year title, it was Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati who clinched the women’s equivalent. Bonmati, the reigning Ballon d’Or holder, played a pivotal role in her club’s Liga F, Spanish Cup, and Women’s Champions Leaguetriumphs in 2022-23. She then led Spain to victory in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, earning her team the coveted team of the year award at the Laureus gala in Madrid. Bonmati’s words resonated: “To be the first footballer to win this [women’s] award makes it even more special. As the first women’s team to win the Laureus, we are proud of our status as pioneers and as a group we are as committed to equality and representation as we are to what we do on the football pitch.”
In a world where sporting achievements are celebrated, Jude Bellingham’s historic featstands tall. His journey from the Midlands to the Bernabeu is a testament to talent, perseverance, and the beautiful game itself. As fans, we eagerly await the next chapter in this young footballer’s extraordinary story.
