Published on 31.10.2023
England and Real Madrid midfielder, Jude Bellingham, has been awarded the 2023 Kopa Trophy, an accolade presented to the most outstanding young player under the age of 21.
This recognition comes on the heels of his exceptional performance since joining Real Madrid.
Bellingham’s remarkable achievements include scoring two pivotal goals in the recent 2-1 El Clasico triumph against Barcelona, a match where he delivered an astonishing equalizer and a dramatic stoppage-time winner. These exploits have earned him a remarkable goal-per-game record across his initial 13 matches.
Although the 20-year-old secured the 18th position in the Ballon d’Or rankings, he became the first English player to clinch the Kopa Trophy since its inception in 2018.
It’s worth noting that the Kopa Trophy acknowledges his form during the prior season, where Bellingham significantly contributed to Borussia Dortmund’s second-place finish in the Bundesliga and showcased his talents on the world stage during the World Cup in Qatar.
Bellingham made a notable transition from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid in June, with the Spanish giants committing an initial £88.5 million in the transfer deal, which could potentially escalate to £115 million, setting a record for a British player.
Jude Bellingham is officially the best young player in the world 💫 pic.twitter.com/JLDAcYYRP4
— GOAL (@goal) October 30, 2023
Following his move to Real, the former Birmingham midfielder has continued to shine with standout performances for the English national team, particularly during their recent victories over Scotland and Italy.
Speaking at the Ballon d’Or event in Paris, Bellingham expressed his gratitude, stating, “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. Thanks for the support, it means a lot – and more to come.”
His remarkable contributions at both the international and club levels have propelled Bellingham to become the fifth recipient of the Kopa Trophy. The previous winners of this award include Kylian Mbappe (2018), Matthijs de Ligt (2019), Pedri (2021), and Gavi (2022).
Bellingham secured this honor ahead of competitors such as Bayern Munich forward and former England youth teammate Jamal Musiala, with Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund also among this year’s nominees.
