JUDE'S HEADING FOR THE ZZ TOP

Bellingham is already the best young player in the world but he's likely to dominate the Ballon D'Or for years to come inspired by his Madrid idol Zidane

- KEITH WEBSTER

JUDE BELLINGHAM took his Ballon d'Or bow in his stride in Paris on Monday night at a ceremony he could well dominate in the next few years.

On a night when Lionel Messi collected the main award for the eighth time, the 20-year-old Real Madrid and England midfielder (with his parents, above) was presented with the Kopa Trophy as the world's best player under 21.

That was in recognition of his 2022-23 campaign at Borussia Dortmund and with Gareth Southgate's side at the Qatar World Cup.

But after a sensational start to his career in Spain that has included 13 goals in 13 games, with winning strikes in the past week in the Champions League and El Clasico, Bellingham is already the favourite to succeed Messi (circle) next year in the main award at the glittering occasion.