Jude Bellingham, an England midfielder, wins the 2023 Kopa Trophy, which is awarded to the finest young player under the age of 21. Bellingham, who is 20 years old, has scored 13 goals in 13 games, making history as the first English player to win the Kopa Trophy.
After an incredible debut season at Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham, an England midfielder and Real Madrid player, has won the 2023 Kopa Trophy, which is awarded to the greatest young player under the age of 21.
Bellingham has a goal-a-game record through 13 games after scoring twice in Saturday’s 2-1 El Clasico victory against Barcelona, which included an amazing equalizer and a stoppage-time winner.
The 20-year-old became the first English player to win the Kopa Trophy since its creation in 2018 after finishing 18th in the Ballon d’Or competition.
However, Bellingham’s performance last season—when Borussia Dortmund finished second in the Bundesliga and Bellingham played a standout role for England in the World Cup in Qatar—earned him the Kopa Trophy.
In June, Bellingham left Dortmund for Real Madrid, where the Spanish powerhouses paid an initial £88.5 million, with the possibility of a £115 million transfer fee—a record price for a British player.After moving to Real, the former Birmingham midfielder has kept up his impressive play for the Three Lions, winning player of the match in England’s recent victories over Scotland and Italy.
Bellingham said, “I just want to thank everyone who has helped me get to this point – from Birmingham to Dortmund and now Real Madrid and the national team,” during the Paris Ballon d’Or ceremony.
“Thanks for the support, it means a lot – and more to come.”
Bellingham is the sixth Kopa Trophy recipient after Kylian Mbappe (2018), Matthijs de Ligt (2019), Pedri (2021), and Gavi (2022) for to his success at both the international and club levels.
The winner was Bellingham, who defeated former England youth teammate and Bayern Munich forward Jamal Musiala. This year’s nominees included Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United.Speaking on Sky Sports News, European football analyst Kevin Hatchard said:
“Considering how mature he is, I didn’t think playing for Real Madrid would phase him.
“I find it hard to believe he is only 20 years old because of how serious, mature, and excellent he is in all he does. He has a positive attitude toward the spotlight.
“For over an hour, Madrid was trailing the Clasico, but his first goal turned the tide in favor of his team.
“It’s impressive that he can score both spectacular and astute goals.” He consistently wins late, which is a sign of a great player.”
Vinicius Jr. accepts the Socrates Award and promises to keep fighting bigotry.
Vinicius Junior walks the red carpet at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, before of the Ballon d’Or presentation. Picture date: October 30, 2023, Monday.
Picture:
Vinicius Junior was the recipient of the 2023 Ballon d’Or’s Socrates Award.
Vinicius Junior, Bellingham’s Real teammate who won the Socrates Award for his off-field work, has pledged to continue speaking up against racism in football.
Vinicius, who has endured frequent racial abuse during La Liga games for the past two seasons, was honored for establishing a foundation that finances school construction in Brazil and builds schools in underdeveloped areas.
After accepting the prize from the Prince of Monaco, the Brazilian vowed to keep up her strong opposition to racism. “Talking about racism these days is a really terrible thing, but we must keep up the struggle to lessen suffering for others.
“I’m thrilled to help a lot of kids in Brazil and to earn this honor. It is a delight for me to assist as many children as I can so they can have a chance, as I had little chance of getting where I have come from.”
Established in 2020, the Vini Jr. Institute seeks to leverage football’s widespread appeal to support innovative approaches to teaching and learning in Brazilian public schools.
By the end of 2023, the initiative anticipates that up to 15 schools, 10,000 pupils, and more than 500 teachers would have benefited.
