Kobbie Mainoo: Manchester United Star Backs Jude Bellingham for 2024 Ballon d'Or

• Kobbie Mainoo is backing his England teammate Jude Bellingham for the 2024 Ballon d'Or award
• Bellingham got off to a fine start at the European Champions after scoring the winner against Serbia
• Mainoo and the Real Madrid star are expected to start in the game against Denmark on Thursday

Manchester United youngster, Kobbie Mainoo, believes England teammate Jude Bellingham is a deserved contender for the biggest individual prize award, the Ballon d'Or.

Bellingham ended last season winning the Spanish La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, scoring 23 goals and providing 13 assists across all competitions.

The former Dortmund midfielder continued with his outstanding performances at the Euros after netting England's match-winner against Serbia.

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He was later replaced in the game by Mainoo, who was making his debut at the European Championship following an impressive campaign with the Red Devils.

"We see it every day in training here and (he's) such a nice guy as well and to train with him is really good," he said during the pre-match presser for the game between England and Denmark, as quoted by talkSPORT.

"He's demanding and he has high standards that he sets and expects so to play and train around him is great.

"With the things he's done at Real Madrid, it's right that he's a contender for the Ballon d'Or."

Mainoo, who scored the winner in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, is one of many players with Ghanaian heritage at the European Championship.

According to the teen sensation, he considered playing for Ghana after the country's federation made contact with him over his international allegiance.

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"I'm proud of my Ghanaian heritage but it was a dream to play for England," he said.

The talented midfielder will be hoping to make his first start when England engage Denmark on Thursday, per UEFA.

Mainoo and eight Ghanaian players at Euro 2024

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Mainoo and eight other players of Ghanaian origin will represent their European nations at the Euros in Germany.

Most of the countries at this year's competition have a couple of players with dual nationalities or having their origins elsewhere.

The French team has for years been dominated by players with their origins from Africa and that seems to be the new norm as the European nations tie down players born in their countries.