- The 20-year-old England and Madrid superstar is the first player to win the award
- Bellingham scored 21 goals and provided 10 assists in 36 appearances for his club
- I don’t complain about playing too often. Why are managers insincere when it comes to player welfare? Listen to the It’s all Kicking Off podcast
Jude Bellingham was awarded the 2024 Laureus World Sports Breakthrough of the Year award in recognition of his surprise season for Real Madrid and England.
The 20-year-old has established himself as the Spanish giants’ main man since joining from Borussia Dortmund last summer.
His tally of 21 goals was unparalleled among his Madrid teammates and he attended the ceremony in Madrid on Monday evening, fresh from another starring role in Sunday’s El Clasico win over Barcelona.
Bellingham grabbed the late winner to seal a 3-2 victory that all but ensured the LaLiga title would find its way from Catalonia to the capital.
The England superstar also played his part in Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final victory over Manchester City. Bellingham calmly sent his penalty in the shootout before Antonio Rudiger dispatched Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the last four.
Jude Bellingham walked away with yet another award after his sensational debut campaign in Spain with Real Madrid
Bellingham stopped for photos with adoring fans before entering the Galeria de Cristal in Madrid
The 20-year-old scored a last-minute winner for Real Madrid in their 3-2 El Clasico win over Barcelona on Sunday
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Elsewhere, Novak Djokovic and Aitana Bonmati were the other big winners at the ceremony held at the Galeria de Cristal in Madrid on Monday evening.
Djokovic was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for the 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 honored 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’m very proud to be here twelve years later and look back on a year that brought me and my fans a lot of excitement and success.
“It was exciting to return to Australia last January and win my tenth title. It is a tournament that is so close to my heart and has given me an incredible twelve months.
“I couldn’t have achieved so much success without a great team behind me, and inspiring rivals who have always pushed me to be the best version of myself.”
Bonmati took to the podium twice to collect two awards: becoming the first footballer to win the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year trophy and also representing the Spanish team that 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 presented with his award during the ceremony on Monday evening by Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz (center) 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 award
‘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 sport, but have also 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 field.”
The 25th Laureus World Sports Awards took place on Monday 22 April in Madrid, celebrating the biggest names in sport from around the world. Visit for more information www.laureus.com.