Jude Bellingham: England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham wins 2023 Kopa Trophy
England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has won the 2023 Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best young player under the age of 21, after a stunning start to life at Real Madrid.
Bellingham scored twice in Barcelona’s 2-1 El Clasico win on Saturday, including an incredible equalizer and an injury-time winner to give him a goals per match record in his first thirteen games.
Bellingham moved to Real from Borussia Dortmund in June after the Spanish giants initially paid £88.5 million, with the deal potentially rising to £115 million – a record signing for a British player.
The transfer came after Bellingham impressed for England at the World Cup last year and came close to winning the Bundesliga title with Dortmund when they narrowly lost to Bayern Munich on the final day.
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Spanish football expert Semra Hunter says Spanish audiences are coming to terms with the phenomenal ability Bellingham has shown
The former Birmingham man continued to impress for the Three Lions after player-of-the-match performances in England’s last two wins over Scotland and Italy.
Bellingham’s form at both international and club level has made him only the third English player to win the Golden Boy award, after Wayne Rooney (2004) and Raheem Sterling (2014).
Bellingham, who finished 18th in the Ballon d’Or election, takes over the Kopa Trophy from the Barcelona midfielder Gavi, beating Bayern Munich striker and former England underage teammate Jamal Musiala to honor.
Four Premier League players – Rasmus Hojlund (Manchester United), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth) and Evan Ferguson (Brighton) – were shortlisted from 25 players for this year’s award.
‘Standard setter Bellingham has an elite mentality’
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European football expert Kevin Hatchard says Jude Bellingham is a standard setter with an elite mentality who thrives in a leadership position
European football expert Kevin Hatchard speaks on Sky Sports News:
“I didn’t think he would be surprised if he played for Real Madrid, given his ridiculous maturity.
“I can’t believe he’s only 20. The way he approaches everything is with such seriousness, such maturity and quality. He embraces the spotlight in a good way.
“Madrid were second best in the Clásico for about an hour, but his first goal turned the game back in his side’s direction.
“He is able to score smart goals and spectacular goals, which is equally impressive. He regularly scores late winners, which is the mark of a top player.”