Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham wins 2024 Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award
Jude Bellingham has bagged the 2024 Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award in his first season at Real Madrid. Prior to 2007, the award was called the 'Laureus World Sports Award for Newcomer of the Year,' and it honors athletes who took a leap forward in their careers that year.
The 20-year-old midfielder made his debut for Los Blancos on August 12, 2023, where he netted a close-range half-volley from a corner kick, contributing to the club's 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.
So far, Jude Bellingham has scored 21 goals and provided 10 assists in 36 appearances across all competitions. In his maiden season at Real Madrid, he has already won the 2023-24 Supercopa de España and will be looking to add La Liga and the UEFA Champions League to the list.
The other athletes who were nominated for the 2024 Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award include Colombian forward Linda Caicedo, American tennis player Coco Gauff, Chinese swimmer Qin Haiyang, Scottish middle-distance runner Josh Kerr, and Spanish forward Salma Paralluelo.
Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz won 2023 the Laureus World Sports Award for Breakthrough of the Year. He won the US Open and became the youngest ever men's world No.1.
Jude Bellingham scored the winning goal for Real Madrid in El Clasico
On Sunday, April 21, Real Madrid played against Barcelona in their 32nd La Liga fixture, which ended in a 3-2 win for Los Blancos. La Blaugrana opened the scoring in the sixth minute through Andreas Christensen, while Madrid equalized in the 18th minute with Vinicius Junior successfully netting a penalty.
In the second half, Fermín López restored the lead for the Catalans in the 69th minute. However, it did not last long as Los Blancos' Lucas Vázquez netted the equalizer in the 73rd minute. Jude Bellingham scored the winning goal minutes before the final whistle at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Real Madrid are currently on top of the La Liga table with 81 points and will face Real Sociedad next in the league.