Lionel Messi ignores Jude Bellingham, names 4 others when predicting Ballon d'Or winner

• The race to win the 2024 edition of the Ballon d'Or is in full swing, with a lot of players in the running for the prize.
• Real Madrid and England midfielder, Jude Bellingham, is one of the numerous players tipped to win the prestigious award
• Lionel Messi previously snubbed the versatile midfielder when naming the possible winners of the 2024 edition of the prize

The race to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or award is intensifying, and many players are currently in the running to win the coveted prize.

The award, which both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have largely dominated over the last decade, saw the latter add another to his record-extending accolade following his triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

With both players now plying their trades outside of Europe, it is expected that a new winner of the award will emerge. Among the favourites for the prize is Jude Bellingham.

Lionel Messi with his seventh Ballon d'Or award during the Ballon d'Or Ceremony at Theatre du Chatelet on November 29, 2021, in Paris, France. Image: Aurelien Meunier.
Source: Getty Images

The England midfielder, who had a stellar debut season with Real Madrid and is currently in the final of the Euro tournament, is expected to provide stiff competition to whoever is in the running for the prize.

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However, Messi opted against mentioning the name of the 21-year-old when picking his favourites for the prize.

Messi snubbed Bellingham for Ballon d'Or

In an interview reported by football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Inter Miami captain was asked about his favourites for the 2024 Ballon d'Or. Messi mentioned several names but did not include Bellingham.

"[Erling] Haaland, [Kylian] Mbappe, Vinicius, and many young players can compete for the Ballon d'Or in the coming years," said Messi. "I also think that Lamine Yamal, who is still very young and plays for Barcelona, will play a prominent role and fight for it in the future, too."

The English midfielder, who is within touching distance of winning the France Football prize, recently also aired his take on who he deems as favourites for the award, and the former Borussia Dortmund star leaned towards his teammate, Vinicius Jr.

According to UEFA.com, the 2024 Ballon d'Or gala will be hosted at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, with a lavish ceremony on October 28.

UEFA bans Bellingham for one match

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Bellingham has been handed a suspended one-match ban by UEFA valid for one year following the midfielder’s controversial goal celebrations in one of England’s Euro 2024 games.

The Real Madrid midfielder was also fined €30,000, emphasizing UEFA's commitment to maintaining sportsmanship and professional conduct on the field.

Bellingham’s celebration in question occurred during a high-stakes game, where the Englishman’s exuberant reaction drew significant attention and mixed reactions from fans and pundits alike.

Source: TUKO.co.ke