Bellingham Backs 'World's Best' Vinicius Junior For Ballon D'Or

Jude Bellingham has expressed that he would hold no grudges if his Real Madrid teammate, Vinicius Junior, wins the Ballon d'Or. The England international, who was voted LaLiga's Player of the Season, stated, "I'd feel just as proud as if I won it." Bellingham had an impressive debut season with Madrid, contributing significantly to their 36th league title.

Bellingham scored 19 goals and provided six assists in 28 league games this season. Across all competitions, he tallied 35 goal contributions for Los Blancos. His performance led former Madrid and England striker Michael Owen to suggest that Bellingham has a strong chance of winning the Ballon d'Or. However, the 20-year-old midfielder believes there is a more deserving candidate for the accolade.

"I'm not really too fussed about it," Bellingham said. "I always thought the Ballon d'Or and those sorts of things were for the strikers, the wingers, and the flashy players." He added, "I know I can entertain the crowd, but no-one can do it like Vini. When he's at his best, I think he's the best player in the world."

Bellingham emphasized his close relationship with Vinicius Junior, both on and off the pitch. "I know he likes to say the same about me, and that's the kind of relationship we have. You don't always have to be friends with your teammates, but it helps when you can be so close off the pitch as well. And then, on the pitch, it reflects. We have a good understanding of each other's movements."

Both players are expected to feature in Saturday's Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium. Real Madrid will be aiming for a record-extending 15th Champions League title. Bellingham expressed his pride in contributing to the team's success and reiterated that he would feel equally proud if Vinicius Junior wins the Ballon d'Or.

Real Madrid's official Twitter account shared a post highlighting Bellingham's sentiments and their upcoming match: #UCL | #APorLa15 | @adidasfootball

The camaraderie between Bellingham and Vinicius Junior is evident, and their mutual respect could be a key factor in Real Madrid's pursuit of another Champions League title. As they prepare for the final, fans will be eager to see how their partnership translates on one of football's biggest stages.