Real Madrid legend gives verdict on Jude Bellingham winning a Ballon d'Or

02 December 2023 , 18:38

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Roberto Carlos has backed Jude Bellingham to reach the top of world football (Image: Getty Images)

Real Madrid has a new hero - a 20-year-old Englishman by the name of Jude Bellingham, who has already broken club records held by greats such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Alfredo di Stefano.

Many expected Bellingham to return to England following three successful years in Germany with Borussia Dortmund, where he became the youngest-ever Bundesliga captain, among many other achievements.

Instead, the Stourbridge-born midfielder, who is fluent in English and German, sought a new challenge in an unconquered land, joining Real for an initial fee of £88.5 million. In just 16 games, Bellingham has netted 15 goals across all competitions, 14 of which came in his first 15 games, out-scoring the likes of Ronaldo, di Stefano, and Pruden Sanchez.

He also became the first Real player ever to score in all of his first four European Cup appearances for the Club, as Carlo Ancelotti's men strengthened their grip over Group C, which consists of Italian champions Napoli, as well as Union Berlin and Braga.

Bellingham is also the 2023 Golden Boy winner, crowned largely for his exploits for Dortmund as well as his country, England, being one of the stars of the 2022 World Cup. But now attention is turning toward whether he can upgrade the Golden Boy award to the Ballon d'Or in years to come.

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Only one of his predecessors has managed to do so. Lionel Messi was named the Golden Boy of 2005 and won his first of eight Ballon d'Or awards four years later in 2009. At his current trajectory, a Ballon d'Or in the post-Messi and Ronaldo era is more than possible, according to Real legend and 2002 Brazil World Cup winner, Roberto Carlos.

Speaking to Mirror Sport at the Web Summit in Portugal earlier this month, where he was promoting his hate-free social media platform, Striver, alongside fellow Brazil great Gilberto Silva, and CEO Tim Chase, Carlos said: "He’s an amazing player and has been doing great with the team. He is still young and if he continues on this path he can definitely reach the top."

Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos has hailed Jude Bellingham's impact at the Bernabeu (Getty)

The Englishman, 20, has 15 goals in 16 games and also won the 2023 Golden Boy award (Getty)

Bellingham's "humble" and "hardworking" nature is what could set him apart from his rivals and peers, and he already has the respect of the Real dressing room, that houses some legends of the game. "The respect we have for him is for the work he does… not for the goals," manager Carlo Ancelotti said of his player.

"He is greatly respected for what he does on the field, which goes far beyond goals. He is a humble and hardworking boy. Entering the Madrid dressing room is easy.”

Real find themselves second in La Liga behind shock leaders Girona. The Spanish giants are also one of two teams in the Champions League with five wins from their first five Group Stage games this season. Bellingham and England are also one of the favourites for next year's Euros, which is being held in Germany. By the end of the summer of 2024, Bellingham could put himself in good standing to clinch a Ballon d'Or sooner, rather than later.

Joshua Mbu