Jude Bellingham set to win the Kopa Trophy in tonight’s Ballon d’Or ceremony | OneFootball

All eyes in the footballing world are on the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris ahead of the much awaited Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Lionel Messi is the overwhelming favourite to walk away with a record eighth Ballon d’Or after he led Argentina to the pinnacle of football.

Yet, that will not be the only highlight on the night. The Women’s Ballon d’Or, Yashin Trophy and the Kopa Trophy are on the agenda as well, and there is interest for Real Madrid fans on that front.

Real Madrid phenom with the accolade

According to reports from MARCA, Jude Bellingham is set to win the Kopa trophy later today during the Ballon d’Or ceremony. He will thus be proclaimed the best U21 player in the world, succeeding Barcelona’s Gavi as the holder.

The accolade is only fitting, for he took Dortmund to the cusp of the Bundesliga title and also shone for England in the World Cup in Qatar.

He has reportedly won the award by a landslide and is also the favourite to take home the Golden Boy award this season.

Notably, Bellingham is also nominated for the Ballon d’Or for his performances with Borussia Dortmund and The Three Lions. His start to life at Real Madrid is worthy of the prestigious award, but will count for next year’s edition.

Other Real Madrid players in contention

Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is amongst the names competing for the Ballon d’Or. The only current Real Madrid players in the mix are Bellingham, Luka Modric and Vincius Jr.

Nevertheless, none of them stand a realistic chance of lifting it after Messi’s World Cup triumph.

Los Blancos’ Linda Caicedo, Olga Carmona and Hayley Raso are amongst the nominees for the women’s Ballon d’Or.

Eduardo Camavinga joins his teammate and the favourite Jude Bellingham in the mix for the Kopa Trophy while Thibaut Courtois is in the mix for the Yashin Trophy.