Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham bags Laureus breakthrough award
England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has won the 2024 Laureus World Sports Breakthrough of the Year award.
Following his £89 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund last summer, the 20-year-old has emerged as a pivotal figure for Real Madrid.
He secured the winning goal against Barcelona in El Clásico last Sunday, increasing his La Liga goal tally to 17 for the season.
Additionally, Bellingham played a crucial role in Real Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final victory over Manchester City, which was decided by penalties.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic clinched the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award for the fifth time, while Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati received the women’s equivalent.
As the current Ballon d’Or holder, Bonmati contributed significantly to Barcelona’s victories in Liga F, the Spanish Cup, and the Women’s Champions League during the 2022-23 season.
Furthermore, she played a pivotal role in Spain’s triumph in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, leading them to win the team of the year award at the Laureus ceremony in Madrid.
“To be the first footballer to win this [women’s] award makes it even more special,” said Bonmati.
“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.”
Full Laureus awards list
Sportsman of the Year: Novak Djokovic
Sportswoman of the Year: Aitana Bonmati
Team of the Year: Spain women’s football team
Breakthrough of the Year: Jude Bellingham
Comeback of the Year: Simone Biles (gymnastics)
Sportsperson of the Year with a disability: Diede de Groot (tennis)
Action sportsperson of the Year: Arisa Trew (skateboarding)
Sport for Good award: Fundacion Rafa Nadal