After receiving the Kopa Trophy for the best player under 21 in the previous season at the Ballon d'Or ceremony, Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham revealed he was aiming for a Euro 2024 triumph with England.
The 20-year-old has had an incredible start to his Real Madrid career, with a brace in Saturday's 2-1 Clasico triumph against Barcelona, moving him to 13 goals in 13 appearances for the Spanish giants.
However, the Kopa Trophy recognises his efforts last season. Bellingham scored 14 goals in 42 games for Borussia Dortmund, who finished second in the Bundesliga. He also helped England reach the World Cup quarterfinals in Qatar.
"I am really grateful to Dortmund for the opportunities they gave me over the years, especially last year, to be a leading player and someone who helped the team win games," Bellingham told AFP and other media after receiving his award.
"I think I took that responsibility on quite well and all said I think I had a good year so I am very happy."
He replaces Barcelona and Spain midfielder Gavi as the recipient of the Raymond Kopa Trophy, named for the legendary Real Madrid and France star.
Bellingham also finished 18th in voting for this year's Ballon d'Or, football's most prestigious individual award.
Now settled in Spain, Bellingham is aiming for the kind of success this season with club and country that would make him a legitimate contender for the Ballon d'Or next year.
"The aim is to try to win everything with England and with Madrid," he said of his goals for the next months.
"It is important that I try to give everything I have got at the moment towards that."
"I am definitely confident," he said of England's chances at the next European Championship in Germany. "We are one of the favourites going into the tournament now, and it is important that we stop talking and finally perform in front of our fans."
