Former Borussia Dortmund teammate backs Jude Bellingham to win Ballon d’Or

The general consensus is that Vinícius Jr. (24) will win the Ballon d’Or this year, with the prestigious award set to be handed out in Paris on Monday. However, one of Jude Bellingham’s (21) former teammates at Borussia Dortmund believes that the Englishman is worthy of succeeding Lionel Messi and receiving the trophy.

Speaking to Téléfoot ahead of the awards ceremony, Thomas Meunier (33), currently at Lille OSC, says that he believes that the award shouldn’t go to Vinícius Jr. but instead to his club teammate, Bellingham. Meunier played 65 matches with Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund, before the latter made the big-money switch to Los Blancos. 

“Jude is sensational – I would give my house for him to win the Ballon d’Or,” said the Belgium international. Like Vinícius Jr., Bellingham played a significant role in helping Real Madrid lift the UEFA Champions League trophy, against his former club, Borussia Dortmund.

Another one of Vinícius Jr’s. teammates, Aurélien Tchouaméni, has backed the Brazilian for the award. “He scored in the Champions League final, he put in extraordinary performances in the semi-finals against Bayern Munich so I think he has the best chance of winning,” said the France international. There isn’t long to wait now until Messi’s successor is named.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle