🏆 Ballon d'OneFootball: We enter the top 10 ... | OneFootball

Welcome to the fourth annual edition of the Ballon d’OneFootball as we begin our countdown of the top 25 players in the world right now. Here’s an explainer how we decided on a top 25.

Here’s the list so far.

And today we have …

10th: Jude Bellingham, Dortmund/Real Madrid and England

(New entry)

Borussia Dortmund had him. Liverpool and Manchester City wanted him. Real Madrid got him.

That’s some CV to kick things off. And Jude Bellingham only turned 20 last week.

It has been clear for some time now that the England international is going to be front and centre of world football for the next decade but that was truly underlined by his performances in 2022/23.

Bellingham perhaps showed his best form when Dortmund needed him most, when they struggled in the half of the season that led up to the World Cup.

While there, he shone for England. Many England fans have only seen flashes of the former Birmingham midfielder through highlights or relatively uncompetitive international qualifiers and friendlies. Until the World Cup when, on the biggest stage, Bellingham’s ability to impact games across the entire pitch, best shown by his incredible assist against Senegal.

For England, that meant big tackles, a first goal at a major tournament, and energy all over the pitch.

For Dortmund, as he returned to club football, it means the quality to drive an improved side into a title race.

Across all competitions last season, no Dortmund player recorded as many goals and assists.

And in the Bundesliga, no Dortmund player made as many tackles or as many blocks.

Or completed as many dribbles, or through balls, or passes into the final third. Or won as many fouls.

Bellingham can do it all and it is no surprise, and no mistake, that Real Madrid have struck a deal that, with the bonuses included, will see him become the most expensive English player of all time. And given Bellingham’s mentality matches his ability — visitors to the Westfalenstadion in the last two years would’ve regularly seen him pumping up his team-mates and the crowd in moments of need.

When England captain Harry Kane missed from the penalty spot in the quarter-final defeat to France, it was then-19-year-old Bellingham who saw the importance (and showed the resolve) in consoling the striker before geeing him up to refocus.

Most importantly, and the key for any Real Madrid signing, he clearly loves the Champions League in particular. In three seasons in Germany, eight of Bellingham’s 24 goals came in Europe’s premier competition. Now he’ll have his sights on winning it.

Click here for every player named so far and their profiles.