Laureus World Sports Awards: Jude Bellingham’s Real Madrid impact, Kylian Mbappe’s speed impress football fan Usain Bolt. Bolt was also asked about the French forward’s speed and says he ‘would love to have competed with Mbappe in my prime’…

Laureus World Sports Awards: Jude Bellingham’s Real Madrid impact, Kylian Mbappe’s speed impress football fan Usain Bolt. Bolt was also asked about the French forward’s speed and says he ‘would love to have competed with Mbappe in my prime’…

 

At the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards, football stars once again found themselves in the spotlight — this time, not just for their on-pitch heroics, but for earning admiration from one of the fastest men in history. Sprint legend Usain Bolt, a long-time football enthusiast, spoke glowingly about the impact of Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and the blistering pace of French forward Kylian Mbappe, sharing that he would have relished the chance to test himself against Mbappe in his prime.

 

Bolt, who remains an ever-present figure at major sporting events, didn’t hide his admiration for how Bellingham has taken Spanish football by storm. “To see someone like Jude step into a club like Real Madrid and dominate so quickly — it’s inspiring,” Bolt said on the red carpet. “He’s calm, confident, and already playing like a leader. I’ve been following him for a while, and I think he’s only just getting started.”

 

Bellingham, 21, has had a transformative effect on Real Madrid since joining the Spanish giants from Borussia Dortmund. His combination of maturity, creativity, and goalscoring ability has made him a standout performer in La Liga and the Champions League. Many have likened his impact to that of past legends, and Bolt was quick to draw parallels to other young athletes who thrived on big stages early in their careers.

 

“He reminds me of athletes who don’t wait for permission — they just show up and take over,” Bolt added. “And at Real Madrid, that’s not easy. You’ve got to be special.”

 

But it wasn’t just Bellingham who caught Bolt’s attention. When asked about Kylian Mbappe, the Olympic gold medallist lit up. Known globally for his own record-breaking speed, Bolt acknowledged that Mbappe’s blistering pace is something that even he finds thrilling to watch.

 

“Mbappe is ridiculously fast — like, it’s not normal,” Bolt said with a laugh. “I watch him make those runs and think, ‘Yeah, this guy would’ve given me a serious race.’ I would’ve loved to compete with him in my prime, just to see what that matchup would look like. On the track or on the pitch — it would’ve been fun!”

 

Mbappe, who is widely regarded as one of the quickest footballers on the planet, has consistently left defenders trailing with his explosive acceleration. His speed, coupled with technical brilliance, has made him a nightmare for opponents and a dream for fans and neutral observers — like Bolt.

 

The Laureus World Sports Awards has long been a celebration of excellence in sport across all disciplines, and this year was no different. With Bellingham and Mbappe both nominated in various categories, the intersection of speed, skill, and star power was on full display.

 

As sport continues to evolve, the admiration between athletes from different arenas serves as a reminder of the universal language of excellence. Whether it’s breaking records on the track or weaving through defenders on the pitch, greatness recognizes greatness.