Bellingham is named the best player in the England national team for the second season in a row and Zirkzee joins the Netherlands national team

The English Football Association said on Friday that Jude Bellingham was chosen as the best player in the men's national team for the second season in a row, after a distinguished season during which he scored a record seven goals in the 2026 World Cup.

The Spanish Real Madrid midfielder set a record for the most goals scored by an English player in a major tournament, when the team nicknamed the “Three Lions” achieved its best result in the World Cup since 1966 by finishing third.

“It feels great,” Bellingham said. It is a great honor to be appreciated by the fans again. “This is not something you think about when you play for your country, but it is of course a beautiful addition to the wonderful summer we had, and to the honor of playing for my country.”

The award winner was chosen through fan voting on the official England national team app.

Bellingham (23 years old) scored two braces in the World Cup, the first in the exciting victory over Mexico in the round of 16 at Azteca Stadium, and the second in the victory over Norway in the quarter-finals in Miami.

He also became the youngest European player to participate in four major tournaments.

England coach Thomas Tuchel said that Bellingham was “one of the best players of the tournament, not only for us but in the entire tournament.”

Tuchel added: “He gave everything he had and reached his full potential. You could clearly see how competitive he was and that he was like a non-stop machine. He thrives under pressure, and loves such moments and forums, which bring out the best in him.”

Captain Harry Kane was the top scorer for the England national team for the seventh consecutive season after scoring 12 goals in all matches with the national team, equaling his best goalscoring tally with the England national team.

Kane described this achievement as “evidence of continuity,” and thanked his teammates and coaches for their support.

The Dutch Football Association announced, on Friday, the inclusion of striker Joshua Zirkzee in the Dutch national team's squad to play the remaining three matches in the Nations League during the extended international break.

The 25-year-old striker, who plays for Manchester United, will replace Brian Probbie, who suffered an injury during Thursday's match, which ended in a 1-1 draw with Germany in Amsterdam, and Proby will return to his club, Sunderland.

Proby left the field in the first half, but the statement issued by the Dutch Football Association did not mention any details about his injury. Proby was holding his back thigh when he collapsed in the 35th minute of the match, which was held at the Johan Cruyff Stadium.

Zirkzee played his last of six international matches nearly two years ago, in November 2024 against Bosnia.

On Saturday, he will travel with the team to Belgrade to face Serbia on Sunday. The Netherlands will also face Greece in Thessaloniki next Thursday, then Serbia again in Eindhoven on October 4.