Bellingham is the frontrunner to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or, which suggests the new duopoly in football will not work out as expected.
There was an atmosphere of sadness around Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or acceptance speech on Monday (30/10). Holding the trophy for the eighth time in his illustrious career, the Argentinian spoke about his achievements in the last 12 months, including his World Cup triumph, before ending his time on stage with a tribute to Diego Maradona on his 63rd birthday.
Messi also admitted that his retirement day was getting closer. There is talk about how long his body can last, and whether Golden Ball, No.8, is his last. Messi acknowledged this fact, turning to the other finalists sitting in the front row – Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe – and insisting that they were his potential successors to the trophy.
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However, Messi left someone behind. For all their qualities, goals, trophies and personal brands, Mbappe and Haaland can no longer claim to be the unquestioned duopoly at the top of the game like Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo once did.
Now, a third competitor has entered the fray: Jude Bellingham. Currently, the Real Madrid midfielder is more likely to win the Ballon d’Or next year than anyone else – and the signs are that he will be the first.
2023-11-04 00:01:56
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