Gareth Bale believes that Jude Bellingham must emulate Lionel Messi's achievements for him to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or. The former football star thinks Bellingham can edge out his Real Madrid teammate Vinicius Junior for the prestigious award if he excels in international competitions.

Bellingham has had a fantastic season with Real Madrid. The 20-year-old midfielder has scored 23 goals and played a key role in helping Real Madrid win the La Liga title and reach the Champions League final. This impressive performance has made him a top contender for the Ballon d'Or, along with Vinicius Junior, who has also been exceptional this season.

Bellingham and Vinicius for the Ballon d'Or Race

Bale believes performing well in major international tournaments is crucial for winning the Ballon d'Or. Bellingham will be an important player for England in the upcoming European Championship in Germany. On the other hand, Vinicius will be Brazil's main star in the Copa America, especially with Neymar Jr. absent. Brazil will aim to dethrone the reigning champions, Argentina.

When the PA news agency asked if Bellingham was a viable candidate for the Ballon d'Or, Bale’s response was clear. “Of course,” he affirmed. “Having a major international tournament is going to play a big part in winning that trophy. The Copa America is on as well, so I guess there’s a lot to play for (between Bellingham and Vinicius) because to win the Ballon d’Or you need to win team trophies. If there’s an international tournament you have to provide on that stage as well, like [Lionel] Messi did a couple of years ago. Obviously, there’s a lot to prove, but he’s done a lot of the hard work already.”

The comparison to Messi is significant. Messi's performance in international tournaments, especially leading Argentina to win the World Cup, has been a major factor in his Ballon d'Or wins. Bale believes that if either Bellingham or Vinicius can win an international trophy, it could greatly increase their chances of winning the Ballon d'Or.

In the short term, both Bellingham and Vinicius are focused on helping Real Madrid win their 15th European title. They will face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembley on June 1. Before heading to England, they will play their final La Liga match against Real Betis on Sunday.

Bellingham's rise in form has been incredible. Not only has he become a crucial player for Real Madrid, but he has also positioned himself as a key figure for the English national team. His performances this season have shown that he can play at the highest level and compete for the biggest individual awards.

On the other hand, Vinicius Junior has been a standout player for Real Madrid for several seasons. With Neymar Jr. not playing, Vinicius will be Brazil's main hope in the Copa America. His performance in this tournament will be crucial in determining his chances for the Ballon d'Or.

The race for the Ballon d'Or between Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior is heating up. Both players have had outstanding seasons and will be key players for their national teams in upcoming tournaments. As Gareth Bale pointed out, winning an international trophy could be the deciding factor in this race. The next few months will be critical for both players as they aim to prove themselves on the biggest stages and make their case for the Ballon d'Or.