Jude Bellingham was awarded with the 2024 Laureus World Sports Breakthrough of the Year prize in recognition of his startling season for Real Madrid and England.
The 20-year-old has established himself as the Spanish giants’ main man since completing a switch from Borussia Dortmund last summer,
His tally of 21 goals in unmatched among his Madrid team-mates and he attended Monday night’s Madrid ceremony fresh off the back of another starring role in Sunday’s El Clasico victory over Barcelona.
Bellingham grabbed the late winner that secured a 3-2 win which all but ensured the LaLiga title will make it’s way over to the capital from Catalonia.
The England superstar also played his part in Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final win over Manchester City. Bellingham calmly dispatched his penalty in the shootout before Antonio Rudiger sent Carlo Ancelotti‘s side in the final four.
Jude Bellingham walked with another prize after his startling debut campaign in Spain with Real Madrid
Bellingham stopped for photos with adoring fans before making his way into the Galeria de Cristal in Madrid
The 20-year-old scored a last-minute winner for Real Madrid in their 3-2 El Clasico victory over Barcelona on Sunday
Elsewhere, Novak Djokovic and Aitana Bonmati were the other big winners at the ceremony held in the Galeria de Cristal in Madrid on Monday night.
Djokovic was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for a record-equalling fifth time after winning the Australian Open, French Open and US Open to lead the way with 24 grand slam men’s singles titles.
‘I am incredibly honoured to have won my fifth Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award,’ said Djokovic.
‘I think back to 2012, when I won it for the first time as a 24-year-old. I am very proud to be here 12 years later, reflecting on a year that brought me and my fans a lot of excitement and success.
‘It was thrilling to return to Australia last January and win my 10th title. It is a tournament that is so dear to my heart and set me up for an incredible 12 months.
‘I could not have achieved so much success without an incredible team behind me, and inspirational rivals who have always pushed me to be the best version of myself.’
Bonmati took to the stage twice to collect two awards – the first footballer to win the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year trophy and also represent the Spain team which won the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
She said: ‘It is humbling to see the list of previous winners of this award.
Bellingham was handed his prize at Monday night’s ceremony by Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz (middle) and Laureus Ambassador Marc Marquez (left)
Barcelona star Aitana Bonmati became the first footballer to win the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year trophy
Novak Djokovic was the other big winner of the night, taking home a record-equalling fifth Laureus World Sportsman of the Year prize
‘From Serena Williams to Simone Biles, Lindsey Vonn, Naomi Osaka and last year’s winner Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, they are all incredible athletes who have not only excelled in their chosen sports, but been incredible role models for younger generations of young women and girls.
‘As the first women’s team to win the Laureus, we are proud of our status as pioneers and as a group we are as committed to equality and representation as we are to what we do on the football pitch.’
The 25th Laureus World Sports Awards took place on Monday 22 April in Madrid, celebrating the leading names in sport from across the globe. To find out more, visit www.laureus.com.
