Football is now at the beginning of what will be the Jude Bellingham era

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates after being awarded with the Kopa trophy during the 2023 Ballon d'Or award ceremony

Miguel Delaney
© UK Independent

As Jude Bellingham was ushered around the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Monday evening, he was already being told by so many there that he’d be back for the Ballon d’Or itself soon. That just might be as soon as next season, thanks to what he himself is saying with his feet right now.

The 20-year-old, who was in the French capital to collect the Kopa Trophy, given to the best-performing player worldwide under the age of 21, has already changed the discussion about his club, his career and even the whole game after a series of sensational performances.