Jude Bellingham wins England Player of the Year award for second year running

Jude Bellingham wins England Player of the Year award for second year running Jude Bellingham has been named England Men’s Player of the Year for 2025-26 after starring during the Three Lions’ run to third place at the World Cup. The Real Madrid midfielder has won the award for a second successive season after supporters voted through the official England app. Bellingham enjoyed an outstanding international campaign, recording seven goals and one assist across 12 appearances for Thomas Tuchel’s side. All seven goals came during the World Cup in North America, setting a new record for an England men’s player at a major tournament. “It feels great,” Bellingham told England’s official channels after receiving the award. “Obviously, a huge honour to be recognised by the fans again.” The 23-year-old played an instrumental role as England secured their best World Cup finish since winning the competition in 1966. He scored against Croatia and Panama during the group stage before becoming particularly influential once England reached the knockout rounds. Bellingham struck twice during a dramatic 3-2 victory over hosts Mexico in the last 16 and followed that performance with another brace as England beat Norway 2-1 after extra time in the quarter-finals. His double against Norway also made him the first England player to score twice in consecutive World Cup knockout matches. Only France forward Kylian Mbappe and Argentina captain Lionel Messi scored more goals across the tournament, while supporters subsequently selected Bellingham in FIFA’s World Cup Dream XI. Tuchel believes the midfielder demonstrated his ability to perform on the biggest stage throughout England’s run. “I think he was one of the players of the tournament, not only for us but for the whole tournament,” the England head coach said. “He lived up to his full potential; you could just see what a competitor and what a machine he is.” Bellingham also reached two significant international milestones during the competition. He became the youngest European to feature at four major international tournaments when he played against Croatia before becoming England ‘s youngest men’s player to reach 50 caps against Ghana. The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder also became the youngest player from any nation to reach 10 World Cup appearances during the victory over Mexico. Bellingham succeeds himself as England’s Player of the Year after also winning the 2024-25 award. His back-to-back victories follow Bukayo Saka, who was the previous player to retain the prize after winning in 2021-22 and 2022-23. Bellingham is now back with England for the September international window as Tuchel’s team prepare to begin their Nations League campaign against world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday.