October 30 (THEWILL) – England and Real Madrid starlet, Jude Bellingham, has been awarded the prestigious 2023 Kopa Trophy for the best under-21 player in world football. The 20-year-old beat out competition from several other talented youngsters to claim the prize.
Bellingham has enjoyed a meteoric rise to stardom over the past year. After scoring his first England goal at the 2022 World Cup, he nearly led Borussia Dortmund to the Bundesliga title. Since joining Real Madrid, he has continued to impress, scoring 13 goals in his first 13 matches.
In winning the Kopa Trophy, Bellingham saw off competition from club teammate, Eduardo Camavinga, Barcelona prospects, Pedri and Gavi and Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, who finished second. Bellingham becomes the first English player to claim the award.
Bellingham’s standout performances for club and country in 2023 have also put him in contention for other major awards. He is widely predicted to win the prestigious Golden Boy trophy for the best under-21 player in Europe.
Although missing out on the 2023 Ballon d’Or, an 18th place finish confirms Bellingham’s status as one of the world’s elite talents. With his best years still ahead, he is set to be among the frontrunners for major individual honours moving forward.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
