The UEFA Champions League is a showcase of the world’s best soccer talent. The explosion of money in the modern game — specifically with elite leagues like the Premier League in England and La Liga in Spain — brought the best players on the planet to Europe with dreams of competing in the sport’s top club competition.
On Saturday in London, the Champions League final could serve as the coronation of soccer’s newest superstar.
Jude Bellingham is the 20-year-old English midfielder who has been a revelation in his first season with Spanish giant Real Madrid. As the 14-time Champions League winner’s splashiest signing from Borussia Dortmund last summer, Bellingham didn’t take long to establish himself as the catalyst of Los Blancos.
The departure of longtime star striker Karim Benzema to Saudi Arabia created a giant hole in Real Madrid’s attack. Bellingham, capably and unexpectedly, filled it. Given a bigger offensive role by head coach Carlo Ancelotti, Bellingham thrived in his new position right away, scoring four goals in his first three matches. He totaled 14 goals in his first 15 games to set a new club record.
In powering Real Madrid to their 36th La Liga championship, Bellingham racked up 19 goals and six assists in 28 league matches, including stoppage-time winners against rival Barcelona. In all competitions, he’s collected 23 goals — an exceptional number for a top striker — and 12 assists.
Bellingham’s ascension as Real Madrid’s main man has been stunning. And he could cap his dream season in storybook fashion — by raising the Champions League trophy at his home country’s iconic soccer cathedral.
Wembley Stadium will host Saturday’s title game between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid. It’s the perfect stage for Bellingham to confirm his status as one of soccer’s preeminent performers before leading England at next month’s European Championship in Germany.
My colleague Nate Jacobson foresees a Real Madrid victory, and I concur. I’m also predicting Bellingham will add to his remarkable goal total in the last game of the 2023-24 European club season.
Here are my favorite prop bets for the Champions League final.
Jude Bellingham anytime goal (+170, DraftKings)
For all of his offensive prowess this season, Bellingham has not scored a goal in a Champions League game since the tournament’s group stage in December. So he’s due. And sportsbooks believe that to be true, too. Only Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid’s star winger, tops Bellingham in the anytime goal market at +130.
Karim Adeyemi 2+ shots (-115, DraftKings)
The speedy Dortmund forward has recorded at least two shots in seven of his last 10 games, most notably in the Champions League semifinal second leg against Paris Saint-Germain. Like PSG, Real Madrid will have the majority of possession but will be susceptible to counterattacks. Adeyemi’s pace will be crucial in turning Madrid giveaways into Dortmund scoring chances (i.e. shots).
Emre Can yellow card (+180, DraftKings)
The rugged midfielder has the reputation of putting in a hard tackle. In 402 matches for club and country, the German has received 101 yellow cards and five reds. So keep an eye on the veteran’s frustration if Dortmund struggles. Even with his disciplinary history, Can is NOT the betting favorite to receive a yellow card. That honor belongs to one of his teammates — Adeyemi (+165, DraftKings), who’ll spend a lot of time dropping back to double-team Vini Jr., a shifty speedster who can aggravate even the best defenses.