3 Reasons Why Jude Bellingham Can Beat Coco Gauff & Josh Kerr For ‘Breakthrough of the Year Award’ at Laureus Sports Awards 2024

Real Madrid– affectionately termed the ‘Kings of Comeback‘ could not have had a better signing than Jude Bellingham in the summer of 2023, it seems. He embodies the club’s philosophy of fighting till the end to snatch away the win from opponents. Last night, Bellingham scored a 91st-minute clutch strike to beat Madrid’s bitter rivals Barcelona in the league’s second El Clasico game. Well, it was the Englishman’s double that ousted Barca in the ongoing La Liga’s first El Clasico as well. Battering Barca aside, Bellingham has consistently shown his goal-scoring prowess, despite technically being a midfielder. Thanks to this spectacular season, the Laureus Sports Awards have nominated the Madrid star for the Breakthrough of the Year Award.

As the name suggests, the award is given to any young sports star who has become a sensation that year. Alongside Bellingham, Laureus Sports Awards has nominated Coco Gauff, Josh Kerr, Linda Caicedo, Qin Haiyang, and Salma Paralluelo. But it is quite likely that the Madrid star will have the better of these fellow nominees, and here’s why.

3 Reasons Why Jude Bellingham might outclass Coco Gauff and Josh Kerr

Among the nominees, Jude Bellingham, Coco Gauff, and Josh Kerr are the most likely candidates to win the Breakthrough of the Year Award. Gauff won her first Grand Slam title at 19 by beating Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final. Meanwhile, Kerr beat Jakob Ingebrigtsen to win gold in the 1,500 meters at the World Athletics Championships. But we feel Bellingham’s achievements with Real Madrid this season outdo those of the tennis superstar and the ace mid-distance runner.

. Jude Bellingham gets brownie points for his adaptability

It is not always the survival of the fittest. It is the survival of the ones who adapt to change. In Bellingham’s case, it is not adaptation or survival; it is absolute domination. He only joined Real Madrid last year, after plying his trade for Borussia Dortmund for three years. It never looked like JB was new to Madrid. He led attacks, gave decisive passes, and scored more goals than what is expected of a midfielder as if he was a Madrid mainstay all these years. With Real’s win over Barca in the decisive league tie, the Englishman will probably end the season, winning the Spanish League title.

. Being Madrid’s top scorer can give Bellingham the edge

In a team that houses deadly Brazilian attackers such as Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo, a midfielder like Jude Bellingham is the scoring leader. Bellingham has scored 21 goals in 36 matches for Madrid in all competitions this season. Vinicius Jr. is second to the 20-year-old with 19 goals in his tally.

. Bellingham’s versatility deserves an applause

If being a scoring leader all the while dominating the midfield is not versatility, then we don’t know what else versatility is. Besides scoring consistently, JB has added 10 assists to his tally this season. Furthermore, Carlo Ancelotti has deployed him as an attacking midfielder, a left mid, and even a center forward this season. And he has bloomed in all these positions. Even if Bellingham won’t give a direct assist, he would lead Real Madrid’s attacks from the midfield with a decisive move. Madrid’s UCL QF win against Manchester City saw a classic example of JB5 leading the attack.

With these reasons combined, we feel Bellingham would add the Laureus Sports Award’s Breakthrough of the Year award to his cabinet. He won the Golden Boy Award for the best young soccer player; or technically, a breakthrough award in soccer. So can another similar prize be far behind the Englishman? We’ll know tonight.