Bellingham backing 'best player in the world' Vinicius for Ballon d'Or
Jonathan Davies
May 29, 2024 04:38 MYT
May 29, 2024 04:38 MYT
Jude Bellingham will hold no grudges if Real Madrid team-mate Vinicius Junior wins the Ballon d'Or, saying "I'd feel just as proud as if I won it".
The England international was voted LaLiga's Player of the Season following a tremendous maiden campaign with Madrid, who he helped land a 36th league title.
Bellingham scored 19 goals and had six assists in 28 league games this season, while tallying 35 goal contributions across all competitions for Los Blancos.
His exploits led former Madrid and England striker Michael Owen to claim he has a "massive chance" of winning the Ballon d'Or, though the 20-year-old believes there is a more suitable candidate for the accolade.
"I'm not really too fussed about it," he said. "I always thought the Ballon d'Or and those sorts of things were for the strikers, the wingers and the flashy players.
#UCL | #APorLa15 | @adidasfootball pic.twitter.com/3IpGHu5uI3 — Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) May 29, 2024
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"I know I can entertain the crowd, but no-one can do it like Vini. When he's at his best, I think he's the best player in the world. I know he likes to say the same about me, and that's the kind of relationship we have.
"You don't always have to be friends with your team-mates, but it helps when you can be so close off the pitch as well. And then, on the pitch, it reflects. We have a good understanding of each other's movements.
"To be honest, if he was to win it, I'd feel just as proud as if I won it, because I know I've helped contribute to the success."
Both players are likely to feature in Saturday's Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium, when Los Blancos seek a record-extending 15th Champions League title.
#Real Madrid
#Borussia Dortmund
#football
#Ballon d'Or
#Vinicius Junior
#Jude Bellingham
#UEFA Champions League (Europe)
#LaLiga (Spain)