Voting has closed for SJA members to decide the winners of three major categories at the British Sports Awards 2024; winners will be announced live on Sky Sports News on Wednesday 20 November; Stuart Broad, Mary Earps and Manchester City’s men’s team claimed the 2023 honours; who will take the top prizes this year?
By Conor McLarnon
Jude Bellingham has accomplished in four years what most football players would dream of over an entire playing career.
The spearhead of Real Madrid’s Champions League win and the team’s top scorer in La Liga, Bellingham has carried himself with class and maturity, establishing himself as one of the best in his position.
For a boy who five years ago was in the reserves of an average Birmingham City side, his ascension to the biggest stage in football has been nothing short of remarkable.
After his prolific breakthrough season with the Blues in the 2019-2020 season, Europe’s top clubs in the market were queuing up to sign him.
He also caught the attention of then-England manager Gareth Southgate, earning a call-up to the squad in November 2020.
The Real Madrid star then played important roles in England reaching the finals of two consecutive European Championships and the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2022.
Despite the criticism of England’s performances during Euro 2024, Bellingham was arguably the saving grace for them in many fixtures, including a breathtaking bicycle kick against Slovakia which single-handedly saved England from humiliation in the round of 16.
Some might sigh at the thought of a footballer winning Sportsman of the Year, believing footballers already get too much recognition, but Jude Bellingham has proven already that he is no ordinary sportsperson.
The speed of Bellingham’s progression is testament to his maturity at the young age of 21.
The midfielder’s stature will be an inspiration to aspiring footballers who see Bellingham as someone who sets the standards of sports professionalism, some feat for someone who is barely an adult himself.
His work off the field also deserves validation with Bellingham strongly emphasising the importance of inclusivity in the game.
He is a humble character and rarely if ever boasts about his success and instead shows gratitude for those who have helped him along the way.
Bellingham has been clear about the importance of his coaches’ contributions, especially Southgate who faced plenty of criticism following England’s 2-1 loss in the Euro 2024 final to Spain.
He has also always voiced how strong his mother’s influence was.
Bellingham has previously said: “The role my mum plays is massive, the biggest role of anyone, more than my coaches and managers, to be honest.”
Bellingham’s efforts go far beyond the pitch and since the age of 15, he has been involved in charity work.
This includes the Mustard Seed Project, which aims to help impoverished school children in Kenya.
Jude has vowed to use his fame to good effect.
He said: “The more attention I get from doing good things on the pitch, hopefully that will crossover to charity.”
From donating a large part of his £145-a-week salary at Birmingham, Bellingham, one of Madrid’s best-paid players, is still as invested as he was six years ago.
Other candidates might have a similar CV to Bellingham but to do what he does at his age, excelling in all aspects of public life, he has remodelled the perception of what it means to be a modern footballer.
It is hard to look past Jude as the winner of this prestigious award.
Sports journalist Conor McLarnon is a member of the SJA Academy – find out more about membership here.
Visit our SJA British Sports Awards 2024 hub article for more information.
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