Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham has called on England to deliver the goods at the Euro 2024 after winning the Kopa Trophy for the best player of last season aged under 21 at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris on Monday.
The 20-year-old has had a great start to his Real career. He scored two goals in Saturday’s 2-1 Clasico win over Barcelona, giving him 13 goals in his first 13 games for the Spanish giants.
But the Kopa Trophy is a reward for how well he played last season. In his last season with Borussia Dortmund, they finished second in the Bundesliga with 14 goals scored in 42 games. He also helped England get to the World Cup quarterfinals in Qatar.
“I am really grateful to Dortmund for the opportunities they gave me over the years and especially last year, to be a leading player and someone who helped the team to win games,” Bellingham told AFP and other media after collecting his prize.
“I think I took that responsibility on quite well and all said I think I had a good year so I am very happy.”
He takes over the trophy named after former Real Madrid and France star Raymond Kopa from midfielder Gavi, who played for Barcelona and Spain.
Previous winners of the men’s Ballon d’Or vote for this award, which has also been given to Kylian Mbappe and Matthijs de Ligt.
Also, Bellingham came in 18th place for this year’s Ballon d’Or, which is the most prestigious individual award in football.
Bellingham is now living in Spain and wants to have a season of success with his club and country that makes him a real contender for the Ballon d’Or next year.
“The aim is to try to win everything with England and with Madrid,” he said of his objectives for the months ahead.
“It is important that I try to give everything I have got at the moment towards that.”
Of England’s prospects at the upcoming European Championship in Germany, he added: “I am definitely confident, we are one of the favourites going into the tournament now and it is important that we quit the talking and finally perform in front of our fans.”
Photo by EPA/MOHAMMED BADRA
