Jude Bellingham, a midfielder for Real Madrid and England, has been named the world’s best under-21 player and has won the Kopa Trophy.
The 20-year-old received recognition at the Ballon d’Or event in Paris on Monday.
Bellingham joined Real Madrid in the summer and has had an incredible start to his career, tallying 13 goals in 13 appearances.
His efforts from the previous season, when he scored 14 goals in 42 games for Borussia Dortmund, was recognized with the Kopa Trophy.
Additionally, he assisted England in making it to the World Cup quarterfinals in Qatar.
Bellingham was chosen ahead of Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich. Previous winners Gavi and Pedri of Barcelona, as well as Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid, were also considered for the honor.
He said:
“It is a great list of players [to have won this award before].
“It is an honour to be in front of some of the best players in the world here and some of the best to have ever played the game.
“To win this trophy means a lot but for me the important thing is team trophies and the important thing for me is to kick on and help Real Madrid and England win trophies for many years.”
‘He’s just going to get better and better’
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton described Bellingham as “the most exciting prospect” he has witnessed in his lifetime.
He told BBC Radio 5 live’s Monday Night Club: “Going to Real Madrid as a 20-year-old and going alongside legends of the game like Luka Modric and just bossing it, just taking everything in his stride.
“He makes things look so easy. I remember watching Gazza play at Carrow Road and it was like he was playing in his back garden, miles ahead of anything else on the pitch. That’s what it’s like watching Bellingham, it’s just so easy.
“I think he’s probably the most exciting prospect I can remember in my lifetime for one so young coming through. He’s just going to carry on developing and getting better and better.”
Kopa Trophy top 10
1. Jude Bellingham
2. Jamal Musiala
3. Pedri
4. Eduardo Camavinga
5. Gavi
6. Xavi Simons
7. Alejandro Balde
8. Antonio Silva
9. Rasmus Hojlund
10. Elye Wahi
BBC