Jude Bellingham’s incredible season for Real Madrid and England earned him the 2024 Laureus World Sports Breakthrough of the Year award.
Since making the transition from Borussia Dortmund to the Spanish giants last summer, the 20-year-old has established himself as their main man.
His 21 goals are more than any of his Madrid teammates’ combined total, and he attended Monday night’s Madrid ceremony just after playing a pivotal role in Sunday’s El Clasico victory over Barcelona.
Bellingham sealed a 3-2 victory with a late goal, virtually guaranteeing that the La Liga title would travel from Catalonia to the capital.
The superstar from England also contributed to Madrid’s victory over Manchester City in the Champions League quarterfinal. In the shootout, Bellingham converted his penalty with composure, and Antonio Rudiger put Carlo Ancelotti’s team in the final four.
Other notable winners at the event, which took place on Monday night at Madrid’s Galeria de Cristal, including Novak Djokovic and Aitana Bonmati.
Djokovic led the field with 24 grand slam me𝚗’s singles championships after winning the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open. As a result, he was voted Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for a record-tying fifth time.
“It is truly an honor for me to have received my fifth Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award,” Djokovic declared.
I recall winning it for the first time as a 24-year-old in 2012. Looking back on a year that was full of excitement and achievement for both myself and my fans, I am really proud to be here 12 years later.
I won my tenth title in January of last year, which was an incredible feeling. This tournament holds great significance for me and has prepared me for an amazing year ahead of me.
“I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish this level of success without the support of an amazing team and motivating opponents who constantly challenged me to excel.”
In addition to being the first football player to win the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year award, Bonmati made two appearances on stage to represent Spain in the 2023 Wоmen’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
“Seeing the list of past winners of this award is humbling,” the speaker remarked.