Football BaBe
Midfield Rivals Unite: Pedri’s High Praise for Bellingham in Ballon d’Or Spotlight
In the world of elite football, where rivalries like Barcelona versus Real Madrid often dominate headlines, moments of mutual respect stand out. Pedri, the talented Barcelona midfielder, recently shared glowing words about Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe, highlighting their skills amid the excitement of the Ballon d’Or nominations. This cross-club admiration adds a fresh layer to the prestigious award race, showcasing how individual brilliance transcends team loyalties.
- Pedri commends rising star Bellingham in midfield
- Barcelona and Real Madrid talents shine in Ballon d’Or list
- Pedri highlights Real’s Mbappe as a top contender
Young Talents Shine in Ballon d’Or Nominations
Both at the age of 22, Pedri from Barcelona and Real Madrid’s key player Bellingham have earned spots among the 30 candidates for this esteemed individual honor. The announcement of the winner is scheduled for September 22. Pedri’s nomination comes on the back of his contributions to Barcelona’s successful campaign, securing both the league title and cup in the 2024-25 season. Meanwhile, Bellingham continued his impressive form in his sophomore year with Real Madrid, delivering nine goals and an equal number of assists in La Liga matches.
Crossing Rivalry Lines with Genuine Admiration
Even with the intense rivalry that defines clashes between these Spanish giants, Pedri didn’t hold back in expressing his respect for Bellingham and his club colleague Mbappe when asked about potential Ballon d’Or frontrunners.
Insights from Pedri on Top Contenders
In a conversation with France Football, as reported by Mundo Deportivo, Pedri highlighted the strengths of Real Madrid’s stars: “The squad at Real Madrid boasts numerous exceptional talents. When Kylian Mbappe takes possession and faces a defender directly, he’s nearly unstoppable.
“As for Jude Bellingham, his blend of raw power and skillful play makes him a tough opponent on the field.”
Favorites Emerge in the Ballon d’Or Race
Although Pedri and Bellingham have delivered standout performances throughout the 2024-25 season, they aren’t tipped as the top picks for the Ballon d’Or. Instead, Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain, who was instrumental in their triumphant run winning Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the UEFA Champions League, holds the edge as the leading candidate. Recent updates show Dembele’s stats soaring with 15 goals and 12 assists across competitions, underscoring his pivotal role in PSG’s dominance.
Upcoming Fixtures for Barcelona and Real Madrid
Barcelona’s next outing sees them hosting Serie A team Como for the Joan Gamper Trophy this Sunday, setting the stage for their La Liga opener against Mallorca in the 2025-26 season. On the other side, Real Madrid is lined up for a preseason friendly against WSG Tirol from the Austrian Bundesliga next Tuesday, followed by their league debut versus Osasuna.
