Ex-Birmingham City player Jude Bellingham wins the Kopa Trophy for his performances in the 2022-23 season, last night in France.

The baller, born in Stourbridge, was awarded the trophy after also being nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or alongside England’s Harry Kane, and Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who later won the award for the 8th time. Bellingham placed 18th in the senior-men’s Ballon d’Or, all thanks to his performances for Borussia Dortmund for the 2022-23 season.

Jude Bellingham follows the footsteps of players like Gavi, Pedri, De Ligt and France’s Mbappé in winning the trophy, which makes him the best U21-player in the world during the 2022-23 campaign. The midfielder, who made an £88.5m transfer to Real-Madrid in June this year, stated that he ‘wanted to thank everyone who helped me get to this point, from Birmingham City, to Dortmund, now Madrid…’. He went on to say, ‘It’s an honour to be alongside some of the best players in the world, and some of the best players that have ever played the game’.

Some other players recognised in the ceremony was Aston Villa Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, Female player Aitana Bonmatí from Spain, with the main spotlight of the ceremony being 8-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi. Millie Bright, Rachel Daly and Mary Earps were amongst nominations for the Women’s Balon d’Or, which is the female equivalent to the male award that Lionel Messi won. 

Jude Bellingham continues to impress fans, playing with Real-Madrid and national team England at the age of just 20. He is definitely one if Birmingham’s brightest shining players that has ever graced the pitch.