The first player from England to win the Kopa Trophy is Jude Bellingham.
At Monday’s 2023 Ballon d’Or event in Paris, Real Madrid midfielder Eden Hazard, a former captain of Belgium, presented the trophy to the player.
Bellingham took up the award ahead of nine other contenders, which included Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Balde, Gavi, and Pedri, three young stars from Barcelona, and Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala.
Additionally shortlisted were Elye Wahi, Xavi Simons, Eduardo Camavinga, and Antonio Silva.
In the poll, Musiala came in second.
In essence, the Kopa Trophy is the Ballon d’Or’s younger sibling. It is given to the player, who is 21 years of age or younger, who is judged to have had the finest season in global football.
In 54 appearances last season, Bellingham, 20, scored 15 goals for England and Borussia Dortmund.
He moved to Real Madrid in the summer thanks to his performance, and in his first 13 games for the Spanish team, he has contributed 13 goals and three assists.
On Saturday, Bellingham, who had previously finished second in the 2021 Kopa Trophy voting, scored two goals in his Clasico debut, helping Madrid overcome Barcelona 2-1.
On Monday, as he walked the red carpet in Paris, he was questioned about that game.
“That one was enjoyable,” Bellingham said. “I was overjoyed to participate in it.
It was a touching moment since I had grown up watching the Clasicos, so to play in one and score in one… I still get shivers now.”
Bellingham will win the Ballon d’Or within the next five years, according to former England attacker Gary Lineker, who made this prediction earlier in an interview with reporters.
Bellingham responded to the remark by saying, “It’s very nice of him, but it’s all about the team awards for me.”
“But this is definitely one you look at when you’re a kid.”