Lionel Messi ‘SNUBBED Jude Bellingham in the Kopa Trophy vote’ as the choices of former Ballon d’Or winners including Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho are revealed’

• Lionel Messi reportedly chose two other players over Jude Bellingham in his vote
• Former Ballon d’Or winners cast votes for the best player under 21 in the world
•  Big debates on Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal on It’s All Kicking Off podcast

Lionel Messi reportedly voted for Jamal Musiala and Pedri over Jude Bellingham in the Kopa Trophy vote, it has been revealed. 

Thirty-two former Ballon d’Or winners are given the opportunity to rank three candidates in their vote for the world’s best player under the age of 21. Their first preference is given three points, their second preference two, and their third preference one. 

Bellingham was voted in as the winner by the jury, becoming the first Englishman to claim the prize since its launch in 2018, with Jamal Musiala and Pedri behind him.

Of the 12 former Ballon d’Or winners whose votes have been unveiled, only Messi and Karim Benzema did not rank him as their leading talent. 

Fabrizio Romano tweeted out Messi’s precise voting and All Football have reported the full votes of 12 of the 32 jury members. 

Lionel Messi voted for Jamal Musiala as his Kopa Trophy winner, with Jude Bellingham his third choice

Jude Bellingham won the prize and was picked as the first choice of ten of the 12 jury members whose votes have been revealed

Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho both picked Jude Bellingham as their favourite for the award

Bayern Munich youngster Jamal Musiala was Messi’s first preference to win the coveted prize

Reported Kopa Trophy votes

Lionel Messi’s vote:

1. Musiala

2. Pedri

3. Bellingham

Zinedine Zidane’s vote:

1. Jude Bellingham

2. Pedri

3. Camavinga

Ronaldinho’s vote:

1. Bellingham

2. Camavinga

3. Pedri

Luka Modric’s vote:

1. Bellingham

2. Camavinga

3. Gavi

Karim Benzema’s vote:

1. Camavinga

2. Pedri

3. Bellingham

Ronaldo Nazario’s vote:

1. Bellingham

2. Musiala

3. Balde

Luis Figo’s vote:

1. Bellingham

2. Antonio Silva

3. Camavinga

Marco Van Basten’s vote:

1. Bellingham

2. Pedri

3. Camavinga

Oleg Blokhin’s vote:

1. Bellingham

2. Gavi

3. Camavinga

Andriy Shevchenko’s vote:

1. Bellingham

2. Camavinga

3. Pedri

Fabio Cannavaro’s vote:

1. Bellingham

2. Camavinga

3. Pedri

Kaká’s vote:

1. Bellingham

2. Musiala

3. Balde

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Benzema had Eduardo Camavinga as his first choice, followed by Pedri and Bellingham. 

Ronaldinho had Bellingham ahead of Camavinga and Pedri. 

Ronaldo Nazario placed Bellingham before Jamal Musiala and Alejandro Balde. 

Messi scooped up his eighth Ballon d’Or in a historic night for the game in which Manchester City players featured prominently after their Treble win.

Erling Haaland came second and was awarded the Gerd Muller Trophy for Best Striker, though many felt he could have won the main prize after a 52-goal season. 

Pep Guardiola revealed that his striker was ‘really pleased’ to compete for the award, and backed him to win it in the future.  

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