Ollie Watkins explains why England teammate should win Ballon d'Or

Ollie Watkins has said Jude Bellingham deserves to win this year's Ballon d'Or even if England lose to Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday.

Bellingham has the opportunity to cap off a memorable 2023/24 season with victory on the international stage - the Three Lions are going in search of the country's first European Championship in the men's game.

The midfielder signed for Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund last summer and went on to enjoy a sensational debut campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu. Los Blancos claimed a memorable La Liga and Champions League double, with Bellingham contributing 23 goals and 13 assists, including several stoppage-time winners, along that road to glory.

Bellingham and club-mate Vinicius Junior are believed to be the frontrunners for this year's Ballon d'Or, and Watkins has thrown his support behind his England colleague.

"Whatever happens, Jude should win the Ballon d’Or," Watkins said at a press conference. "The way he's played, he plays with such maturity, confidence, aura. 

"I can't speak any more highly of him to be honest. To see him transition from where he was - obviously I played against him at Birmingham and even the way he played then you'd have thought he was a seasoned pro. 

"I've played a number of games [with him] and I remember being in one of the camps, one of my earlier camps, I think he was 16 at the time and he still had confidence about him. It's no surprise really to see what he's gone on and done."

Bellingham has not quite hit the same form with England so far at Euro 2024, but he has still popped up with two memorable and iconic moments. He scored the Three Lions' first goal of the tournament against Serbia, while his stunning 95th-minute overhead kick sent their last-16 tie with Slovakia to extra-time.

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