GARETH BALE is backing Jude Bellingham to win the Ballon d'Or if he leads England to Euros glory. The Real Madrid midfielder, 20, has lit up the Bernabeu club in his debut season - with 23 goals so far to help them lift the Spanish title and reach the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund. Michael Owen was the last Englishman to win world football's top individual honour while at Liverpool in 2001.
Bellingham's big rival for the award is Brazilian club-mate Vinicius Junior . And ex-Real star Bale reckons this summer's Euros and Copa America will decide who comes out on top. Bale, a five-time Champions League winner with Los Blancos , said: "Having a major international tournament is going to play a big part in winning that trophy.
"The Copa America is on as well, so I guess there's a lot to play for because winning the Ballon d'Or you need to win team trophies - like Lionel Messi did a couple of years ago. "Obviously there's a lot to prove but Bellingham has done a lot of the hard work already. BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER S "He's slotted in really well and had a fantastic first season.
"He's won the league and to be able to win a Champions League in your first season - obviously from personal experience it is a great thing to have - gives you that platform to keep pushing on. "It's a very nice club to be at and hopefully they can get another win and keep cementing their title as the kings of Europe. "To keep doing it year in and year out is a spec.