England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has won the 2023 Kopa Trophy, given to the best young player under the age of 21, after a stunning start to life at Real Madrid.
Bellingham scored twice in Saturday’s 2-1 El Clasico win at Barcelona, which included an incredible equaliser and a stoppage-time winner, to give him a goal-a-game record in his first 13 matches.
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Peter Smith is joined by Joseph Shread to discuss whether or not Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are the best players in the world right now
Bellingham moved to Real from Borussia Dortmund in June after the Spanish giants paid an initial £88.5m with the deal potentially rising to £115m – a record deal for a British player.
The transfer came after Bellingham impressed for England at last year’s World Cup and came close to winning the Bundesliga title with Dortmund as they narrowly lost out to Bayern Munich on the final day.
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Spanish football expert Semra Hunter says the Spanish public is coming to terms with the phenomenal ability that Bellingham has shown
The former Birmingham player has continued to impress for the Three Lions after player-of-the-match performances in England’s last two wins over Scotland and Italy.
His form at both international and club level has seen Bellingham become just 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 voting, takes the Kopa Trophy from Barcelona midfielder Gavi, beating Bayern Munich forward and former England underage team-mate Jamal Musiala to the honour.
Four Premier League players – Rasmus Hojlund (Manchester United), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth) and Evan Ferguson (Brighton) – were on the 25-player shortlist for this year’s award.
‘Standard-setter Bellingham has 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 speaking on Sky Sports News:
“I didn’t think he’d be fazed by playing for Real Madrid given his ridiculous amount of maturity.
“I cannot believe he’s still only 20, the way he approaches everything is with such seriousness, such maturity and quality. He embraces the limelight in a good way.
“Madrid were second best in the Clasico for about an hour, but his first goal changed the game back in his side’s direction.
“He’s capable of scoring smart goals and spectacular goals which is as impressive He regularly scores late winners, which is the mark of a top player.”