Kobbie Mainoo believes that Jude Bellingham is a deserved contender to win the Ballon d’Or this year.
The England star enjoyed a remarkable 2023/24, helping Real Madrid to the La Liga title before winning the Champions League at Wembley in his first season with the European giants.
After scoring 23 goals and getting 13 assists for Real Madrid, Bellingham got his Euro 2024 campaign off to a perfect start with a match-winning display against Serbia.
Mainoo’s season hasn’t been too shabby either after breaking into the first team fold at Manchester United before becoming a regular at Old Trafford and making England’s 26-man squad for the Euros.
As a young player, Mainoo says that there’s no one better to look up to than world football’s boy wonder, Bellingham.
Speaking to the media, Mainoo said: “Everybody knows how great a player he is.
READ MORE ON JUDE BELLINGHAM
“We see it every day in training here and (he’s) such a nice guy as well and to train with him is really good.
“He’s demanding and he has high standards that he sets and expects so to play and train around him is great.
“With the things he’s done at Real Madrid it’s right that he’s a contender for the Ballon d’Or.”
Alongside Mainoo and Bellingham, England have a somewhat more experienced option in midfield in Declan Rice.
While only 25, Rice has made almost 300 club appearances and won 52 caps for England, making him an ideal role model for Mainoo.
“Dec, he’s such a good player,” said the Man United starlet.
“He’s so reliable, so good on the ball and so dominant in midfield.
“When I do get to play with him it’s always a joy to have someone so strong on the ball next to you and you can always trust him no matter where you are on the pitch.
“Everyone knows he’s worth every penny, he’s such a good player. He’s proved that in the Premier League and also on the international level.
“[Playing alongside Rice], it frees me up a lot and allows me to go forward and attack and I always know that when I go I can trust that he’s there. It’s a dream.”
England are next in action against Denmark on Thursday evening, live on talkSPORT.
talkSPORT will bring you live commentary of EVERY game at Euro 2024. Tune in via the website here or the app here, and follow our live Euro 2024 blog for all the latest news, views and reaction to the big moments.
News Summary:
- Kobbie Mainoo makes Jude Bellingham Ballon d’Or claim and explains what makes England star so special
- Check all news and articles from the latest Football updates.