Jude Bellingham is the only Englishman on the 10-man shortlist for the Kopa Trophy at the 2023 Ballon d’Or awards, with just ONE Premier League star a candidate for World Young Player nomination
Jude Bellingham is the only Englishman on the 10-man shortlist for the Kopa Trophy at the 2023 Ballon d’Or awards, with just ONE Premier League star a candidate for World Young Player nomination
- The Real Madrid star was the only English player to be shortlisted
- The award was won by Spain and Barcelona star Gavi last season
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The nominations for the 2023 Kopa Trophy – awarded to the best U21 player in world football – were announced on Wednesday afternoon.
The 10-man shortlist consisted of the best youngsters in the world, all of whom will be vying for the title won by Barcelona star Gavi last year.
Only one English player – Jude Bellingham – made the shortlist after enjoying a superb season at Borussia Dortmund before joining Real Madrid.
The full list included: Alejandro Balde, Rasmus Hojlund, Pedri, Eduardo Camavinga, Xavi Simons, Jamal Musiala, Antonio Silva, Gavi, Elye Wahi, and Bellingham.
Man United’s Hojlund, who joined Old Trafford for £72million this summer, is the only Premier League contender on the list.
Jude Bellingham was the only Englishman shortlisted for the 2023 Kopa Trophy
Previous winners Gavi (left) and Pedri (right) also made the 10-man shortlist for the award
Former winners Gavi and Pedri, who both play for Barcelona and Spain, were on the list.
The Spanish league proved to be dominant among the nominees, with five of the ten players playing in LaLiga.
Perhaps the most surprising inclusion was French striker Elye Wahi, who turned down a move to the Premier League in favor of joining Lens this summer.
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