Ballon d’Or winner salutes ‘swagger’ of Jude Bellingham & explains why Real Madrid superstar belongs among ‘best in the world’ as England international looks to land his own Golden Ball

Bellingham has made a remarkable impression since his transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid, showcasing a level of confidence and skill that has astounded many in the football world - including Owen, who has been left surprised by his swift adaptation to life in the Spanish capital. Indeed, Bellingham’s debut season with Real Madrid was nothing short of exceptional, as he contributed 23 goals and 13 assists across all competitions and scored in crucial matches including both Clasico fixtures against Barcelona.

Owen, who graced Santiago Bernabeu in the early 2000s, is well aware of the scrutiny that a megastar like Bellingham faces in the Spanish press. However, the former striker is astounded by the way Bellingham has demonstrated resilience and composure to handle the pressure and deliver top-notch performances even in the most challenging stadiums across Europe in the Champions League - which has made him one of the leading contenders for the 2024 Ballon d'Or.

In an interview with Four Four Two, ex-England international Owen said: "Jude quickly elevated himself into one of the world’s great players, for club and country. Playing for a club like Real Madrid isn’t easy when all eyes are on you and every poor performance is pounced upon; if you can respond to that and stay at the highest level, then you belong with the best in the world. He’s incredible. At Real, he has developed that big-game energy, that swagger, that attitude. We saw it for England at Euro 2024 as well."

Indeed, Bellingham's performances for England during Euro 2024 further reinforced his status as a player of extraordinary potential. He played a crucial role in the Three Lions' journey to the final, scoring in the opening match against Serbia and netting an injury-time equaliser against Slovakia in the round of 16.

Bellingham was rested by Carlo Ancelotti against Real Sociedad on Saturday as the midfielder is making a comeback from a muscle injury and the Italian did not want to rush him into action. However, he is likely to feature against Stuttgart on Tuesday evening at Santiago Bernabeu in their Champions League opener.