In just 8 hours, the football world has changed abruptly, and the battle for the Ballon d'Or has ushered in a shocking reversal. At the European Championships, a 21-year-old England superstar is putting on a breathtaking comeback, and his name is Bellingham. Not so long ago, Real Madrid's Brazilian star Vinicius Jr. was widely believed to be the favourite for the Ballon d'Or.
Bellingham led LinkedIn Gran to the last four of the European Championship, while Vinicius' Brazil side were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Copa America. The result was like a hammer hammer that changed the competitive landscape of the Ballon d'Or in an instant. The authoritative Spanish media "As" exclaimed: Bellingham has surpassed Vinicius and become the biggest favorite for the 2024 Ballon d'Or!
We need to understand the selection rules for the 2024 Golden Globe Awards. The judging period is from 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2024, which means that the performances of the European Championship and Copa America will be decisive in the final stages. For top players such as Bellingham and Vinicius, the performance of the national team in major tournaments can often be overwhelming bargaining chips.
Looking at the club's performances, Vinicius and Bellingham can be said to be evenly matched. In the 2023-24 season, Vinicius made 39 appearances for Real Madrid, contributing 24 goals and 11 assists, helping the team win the treble of La Liga, Champions League and Spanish Super Cup. Bellingham, meanwhile, has scored 23 goals and provided 13 assists in 42 appearances and is named La Liga's Most Valuable Player. It can be said that based on the performance of the club alone, the two are inseparable.
A turning point of fate came on the national team. England defeated Switzerland on penalties in the quarter-finals of the European Championship and successfully advanced to the semi-finals. Bellingham's overall performance was not impressive, but he showed extraordinary strength in key moments. He scored the winner in the group stage to help England beat Serbia 1-0 and even scored a stunning draw in the quarter-finals, with a savior in the 95th minute as England overcame Slovakia.
In contrast, what happened to Vinicius is somewhat tragic. Brazil lost to Uruguay on penalties in the quarterfinals of the Copa America and missed out on the semi-finals. What's even more embarrassing is that Vinicius missed this crucial game due to suspension and was unable to contribute to the team. This result undoubtedly cast a shadow over his Ballon d'Or path.
The analysis of "As" hit the nail on the head: in just eight hours, the balance of the Golden Globes tilted. Bellingham's European Championship campaign continues, while Vinicius' Copa America campaign is over. If England can win two more games and win the European Championship in history, there will be little suspense that Bellingham will win the Ballon d'Or.
The next semi-finals and final will be the final stage for the 21-year-old Bellingham. If he can continue his highlight-reel performances in those two games, and even help England to the title, then the Ballon d'Or crown could well fall on the young superstar's head. This is not only a recognition of his personal ability, but also an affirmation of his leadership and ability to withstand pressure in major competitions.
For Bellingham, the next two games will be the most important moments of his career. He will not only have to fight for the glory of the national team, but also for his dream of winning the Ballon d'Or. At the age of 21, the stage of the European Championship, the temptation of the Ballon d'Or, all these elements are intertwined to make for a heart-pounding story.
The beauty of football lies in its unpredictability. It was an unshakable favorite 8 hours ago, and it may be surpassed in 8 hours. This dramatic turn of events not only gets the fans excited, but also fills the entire world of football with endless possibilities. It will be interesting to see if the 21-year-old England superstar can make the final sprint in the final two games to crown himself with the Ballon d'Or and write a new chapter in football history.