Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has revealed his pick between Rodri and Jude Bellingham for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
Both players are among the leading contenders for the award after outstanding individual performances for their clubs and countries.
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Rodri played a crucial role in Manchester City’s historic treble last season and was instrumental in their fourth consecutive Premier League title in 2024.
He also helped Spain win the European championship on Sunday (14 July), participating in all but one match during their campaign.
On the other hand, Jude Bellingham had an impressive debut season with Real Madrid, scoring 23 goals and providing 13 assists across all competitions, helping the team win La Liga and the Champions League.
Bellingham was also part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad, which finished as runners-up at Euro 2024.
These accomplishments have placed them as top contenders for the prestigious Golden Ball, alongside Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, who also had an exceptional season.
In a widely circulated video, several Ajax players, including Henderson, were asked to predict this year’s Ballon d’Or winner.
The 34-year-old, who joined Ajax in January after a six-month stint in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq, initially chose Rodri. However, he then asked if he could change his answer: “I just want to change my answer…is that alright? Can I change?”
After receiving permission, Henderson quickly said “Bellingham”.
Only three other players predicted Bellingham to win the Ballon d’Or, while most chose either Vinicius or Rodri. Defender Ahmetcan Kaplan was the only player to pick Spain’s Dani Carvajal.
Although the list of Ballon d’Or 2024 favorites is already being discussed, the winner will be announced at the Paris gala on 28 October, more than three months away. The official list of nominees will be revealed on 4 September.
