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After an underwhelming European Championship outing, Jude Bellingham risks losing the Ballon d'Or to a few other players.
Thanks to an exceptional first half of the 2023/24 season, in which he came up with the goods for Real Madrid on multiple occasions, Jude Bellingham was in pole position for this year's Ballon d'Or.
However, his light dimmed in the second half of the season, as he was more functional than brilliant. His teammate, Vinicius Jr., stepped into the spotlight as Real Madrid strolled to a LALIGA and Champions League double.
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An underwhelming European Championship outing for England has further cast doubts over Bellingham's chances of lifting France Football’s coveted prize after leading the polls for a huge chunk of the campaign. Here are five of the biggest threats to Jude’s Ballon d'Or aspirations.
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08:23 - 15.07.2024
Euro 2024 Final: 3 reasons why Bellingham should not win the Ballon d’Or
After England's failure in the Euro 2024 final, Jude Bellingham's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or have evaporated into thin air
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08:17 - 15.07.2024
Ex-Bayern midfielder backs Real Madrid and Spain star for Ballon d’Or ahead of Bellingham
Could Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior lose out on the Ballon d’Or to Los Blancos teammate?
Vinicius Jr
As stated earlier, the Brazil international was the star of the final act-and-a-half of Real Madrid's season. Although Bellingham was named LALIGA MVP, Vinicius claimed a prize arguably more prestigious: the Champions League Player of the Season.
Also, the 24-year-old was tipped for the award by the club's president, Florentino Perez; coach, Carlo Ancelotti; and even Bellingham himself.
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Rodri
If the Ballon d'Or ceremony were held in June, Vinicius and Bellingham would have monopolised the votes. However, a poor Copa America outing for the ex-Flamengo star and a Euro campaign that left a lot to be desired from Bellingham has seen other players rise in popular opinion for the award.
Enter Manchester City’s Rodri: the 27-year-old midfield stalwart had another exceptional season for Manchester City, in which he was unbeaten until the FA Cup final against crosstown rivals Manchester United.
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However, it is his body of work at the Euros that has shot him up the rankings of favourites to lift the Ballon d'Or. Rodri was an integral member of Luis de la Fuente's team that won the competition, beating Bellingham's England in the final, and was named the Player of the Tournament to boot.
Lautaro Martinez
Based on the strength of his league campaign, Lautaro Martinez has as strong a shout for the golden ball as Jude Bellingham. Like Victor Osimhen last season, The Argentine led his team, Inter Milan, to the Scudetto title while winning the Cappocannoniere.
He scored 27 goals for his club last season, providing seven assists. His total of 34 goal contributions in all competitions also matches Bellingham's.
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However, Inter Milan's disappointing UCL exit to Atletico Madrid in the round of 16 meant his club season failed to stack up to the competition. However, like Rodri, the 26-year-old is having a brilliant summer.
With Lionel Messi struggling with injury, Lautaro Martinez effectively led Argentina to Copa America glory. He finished with five goals, the most in the competition, one of which was the winning goal against Colombia in the final.
The Copa America is seemingly well valued by France Football’s voters, as we have seen Messi win the Ballon d'Or off his success at the tournament. Coupled with his showing in Serie A, Martinez is now among the frontrunners for this year's grand prize.
Dani Carvajal
If Ballon d'Or’s were determined solely by trophies won, Dani Carvajal would be the clear front-runner. Possibly the least glamorous name on this list, Carvajal was as important to his team's trophies as any player highlighted.
Like Vinicius and Bellingham, he won the Supercopa de Espana, LALIGA and Champions League. Like Rodri he is also a European Championship winner.
Carvajal, playing at right-back, scored the all-important goal in the UCL final against Borussia Dortmund and was a stalwart defensively for Spain in their dominant run to a historic fourth Euro.
Lamine Yamal
Yamal has a penchant for reaching incredible milestones quicker than anyone in the sport before him ever came close, and it would be on brand for him to be the youngest player to ever win the Ballon d'Or, at 17.
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He had a European Championships campaign worthy of Player of the Tournament but had to settle for the Youngster award.
Yamal led the competition in chances created, big chances created and assists. His four assists were also the most any player has had in a single Euro tournament.
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