England midfielder Jude Bellingham has been named the Men’s Player of the Year for the 2024/25 season, beating out Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane to secure the top honor.
The 22-year-old Real Madrid star played a central role in England’s promotion in the Nations League under interim boss Lee Carsley and has already made his mark in World Cup qualifying under new manager Thomas Tuchel. Despite undergoing shoulder surgery in July that sidelined him for two months, Bellingham returned to action in September and remains one of the most influential figures in Gareth Southgate’s former squad, now under Tuchel’s leadership.
Bellingham’s contributions included a goal against Greece in the Nations League, two assists and a penalty won against the Republic of Ireland, and a further assist in the World Cup qualifier against Albania. With five goal contributions in just eight matches, his performances were instrumental in England’s run.
His recognition also places him in elite company: he is only the second player to win the award while playing outside England, following Owen Hargreaves in 2006 when he was at Bayern Munich.
Bellingham’s rise has been remarkable. At just 22, he has already earned 44 caps, featured in three major tournaments, and become part of England’s leadership group. Fans still remember his dramatic overhead kick against Slovakia in last year’s Euros, one of the most iconic moments of the competition.
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Tuchel has relied heavily on him in midfield, starting him in every World Cup qualifier he was fit for, despite a public spat earlier in the season when the German coach criticized his on-field demeanor. Tuchel later apologized and has since praised Bellingham’s mentality and importance to the team.
The award comes a year after Cole Palmer claimed the honor, with Bukayo Saka winning it twice in a row before that. The women’s Player of the Year will be announced later this autumn, with Euro-winning striker Alessia Russo among the leading contenders.
Bellingham is expected to return for England’s upcoming fixtures against Wales and Latvia in October, as Tuchel looks to finalize his strongest lineup ahead of the World Cup next summer. With Champions League titles at Real Madrid already under his belt and his growing influence on the international stage, Bellingham’s status as the future of English football has never looked more secure.
