Euro 2024: Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic is confident that England’s Jude Bellingham will without a doubt win the Ballon d’Or.

In a pre-match interview ahead of Serbia’s clash with England on Sunday, Serbia head coach Dragan Stojkovic expressed his belief that Jude Bellingham will undoubtedly win the Ballon d’Or in his career. Stojkovic praised Bellingham’s impressive performances for Real Madrid, where he has already won La Liga and the Champions League this season, scoring an impressive 23 goals. With England manager Gareth Southgate recently revealing that Bellingham is part of his new leadership group, the outcome of the game against Serbia may have a significant impact on Bellingham’s chances of winning the prestigious individual award.

Stojkovic spoke highly of Bellingham, hinting at a targeted gameplan to neutralize his threat. He described Bellingham as a “great guy” and emphasized his belief that the young midfielder possesses the qualities necessary to win the Ballon d’Or. Stojkovic acknowledged the challenge of facing Bellingham, stating that his performances for England have been exceptional but also acknowledging the impact he has had on Serbia’s opponents.

While Stojkovic focused on Bellingham, he also acknowledged England’s overall qualities. He made it clear that his primary focus is on Serbia and their own gameplan, but he recognized England’s status as one of the favorites to win the European Championship. Stojkovic emphasized the importance of his players having all the necessary information about the English team but also stressed the need for Serbia to focus on their own performance.

In response to Stojkovic’s comments, Southgate expressed his belief that Serbia will not simply sit back and defend against England. He expects an open and attacking game, with Serbia looking to create problems for the tournament favorites. Stojkovic echoed this sentiment, stating that Serbia will not just wait and watch England play. He emphasized their intention to be proactive and create scoring opportunities, with the goal of scoring first and then building on that momentum.

Overall, both coaches expressed confidence in their respective teams and their ability to perform in the upcoming match. The clash between Serbia and England promises to be an exciting and attacking encounter, with both sides aiming to make a statement in the European Championship.