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Jude Bellingham's talismanic performance in England's victory at Hampden Park is earning the new support to lift the Ballon d'Or.
The Birmingham-bred midfielder proved pivotal as Gareth Southgate's side wheeled away from Hampden Park as 3-1 winners on Tuesday. It was his goal and assist combo that helped see the visitors over the line in Glasgow after Phil Foden opened the scoring in the first half.
Bellingham has gone from strength to strength in recent years and is already realising his potential after an £88.5million move to Real Madrid over the summer. The 20-year-old has scored five goals and recorded one assist in only four outings for Los Blancos, and Carlo Ancelotti's side would be a lot worse off were it not for his influence.
And he illustrated his importance again on Tuesday when he capitalised on Andy Robertson's error to punish the hosts at Hampden. After Scotland grabbed a consolation goal, he then compounded their woes by teeing up Harry Kane for England's third.
READ MORE: Phil Foden scores 24 hours after Southgate's dig as England fans blast 'hold that Gareth'
One page on X – formerly Twitter – then asked the question whether Bellingham will win the Ballon d'Or at some point during his career. And while some cast doubt as to whether he'd be able to rival the likes of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe in the years to come, others were more assured over his credentials.
"It's inevitable," wrote one supporter with some degree of certainty.
"Absolutely, he will be the best English player ever," commented another member of Bellingham's legion of fans.
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A third commented with quite the tall order, adding: "He could win it next year. Eight goals and assists at the start of the season, let him win the league, Champions League and Euros and he’s the winner."
Bellingham is part of the 30-man shortlist for the 2023 edition of the prestigious award, though his surge in popularity may have come too late to stage a genuine challenge. That's after the likes of Lionel Messi and Haaland have earned widespread calls to contest the prize.
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Seven-time winner Messi is once again in the mix for football's biggest individual award after finally adding the World Cup to his collection late last year. Meanwhile Haaland was instrumental in lifting Manchester City to their first Champions League title and a historic treble.
Picking up exactly where he left off at Borussia Dortmund, Real's icon-in-the-making is now turning into a key character for his country, too. But a Ballon d'Or win would set him apart from countless English icons from years past.
And many supporters are already convinced it's a mere formality that he'll add the trophy to his collection one day. Although leading England's men to a first major trophy in some 60 years or so certainly wouldn't hurt his chances.
- England Football Team
- Real Madrid FC
- Footballblog
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