2023 Kopa Trophy: Real Madrid sensation Jude Bellingham scooped the award on Monday night ahead of Musiala, Pedri, Camavinga, and Gavi.
The 2023 award saw Jude Bellingham becomes the first Englishman in football’s history to win the Ballon d’Or Kopa Trophy.
The award is given to the best young player under 21 years, which saw the player become the first England international to win it since it was established in 2018.
Bellingham has been in fine form since he signed for Real Madrid this season and this helped him earned the award ahead of others.
The 2023 Kopa Trophy was given to the Englishman following his form from last season as he also helped Dortmund to finish second in the Bundesliga and starred for England at the World Cup in Qatar.
After winning the award at the Ballon d’Or event in Paris, 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.”
“Thanks for the support, it means a lot – and more to come.”
Bellingham becomes the fifth winner of the Kopa Trophy after Kylian Mbappe (2018), Matthijs de Ligt (2019), Pedri (2021) and Gavi (2022).
2023 Kopa Trophy Top Ten Official Ranking
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
- Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich
- Pedri (Barcelona)
- Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)
- Gavi (Barcelona)
- Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig, on loan from PSG)
- Alejandro Balde (Barcelona)
- Antonio Silva (Benfica)
- Rasmus Hojlund (Manchester United)
- Elye Wahi (Lens)
What Is The Kopa Trophy?
The Kopa Trophy is an association football trophy given to the best performing player under the age of 21 around the world during a joint ceremony with the Ballon d’Or and the 2023 edition was not any different.
The late French football player Raymond Kopa, the 1958 Ballon d’Or winner, is honored with this award, which is given out by France Football, organizers of the Ballon d’Or.
A jury which comprises of all previous Ballon d’Or winners chooses the winner. Unlike the Golden Boy award, which is limited to athletes in Europe, the Kopa Trophy is also available to elite players outside of UEFA leagues.
Ballon d’Or 2023: List of all the winners
- Ballon d’Or- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina)
- Ballon d’Or Feminin – Aitana Bonmatí (FC Barcelona Femení, Spain)
- Kopa Trophy for the best male U-21 player Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)
- Yachine Trophy for the best male goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez (Astona Villa, Argentina)
- Gerd Müller Trophy for the highest-scoring male striker Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)
- Socrates Award to acknowledge humanitarian work Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid, Brazil)
- Club of the Year Manchester City and FC Barcelona Femeni
Jude Bellingham
Jude Victor William Bellingham is an English professional footballer who was born on 29 June 2003 and plays as a midfielder for La Liga club Real Madrid and the England national team.
He is regarded as one of the brightest players in the world and is renowned for his extraordinary physicality, technical skill, ball control, and adaptability.
