Ballon D’Or Awards Soundbites: Bellingham For Future Prize, Hazard To ‘Consider’ Retirement Plans?

October 30, 2023

As the superstars arrive the venue of the 67th Ballon D’Or Awards ceremony in Paris on Monday night, they were quickly asked a few questions about the event and also on their careers.

Amid the buzz surrounding the arrival of the guests on the red carpet, Prime Business Africa picked out a few quotes from the short interviews.

Join our WhatsApp Channel

When Eden Hazard, the former Chelsea and Real Madrid star arrived in the company of his children, the interviewer asked him about his sudden retirement from the game.

The Belgian responded tersely: “My children asked that we come together and I said, ‘why not’. Let’s just say that I don’t miss football now but we’ll see,” Hazard said with a shrug of the shoulder indicating that he might renege on his decision to hang his boots.

Jude Bellingham is tipped to win the Kopa trophy as the Best Young Player following his superb start to life at Real Madrid.

Asked by the interviewer whom former England star, Gary Linekar considers as the likely winner of the big prize in five years time, the Three Lions star said with cautious optimism: “Did he say me”?

There was an air of relief when the journalist quizzing him nodded in the affirmative.

“That was kind of him (Linekar). Hopefully I would be able to reach those heights.

On his goal in the El Classico last weekend against Barcelona, Bellingham said: “I still get goosebumps for the fact that I play for Real Madrid. I watched them as a kid and happy to be at the club now.

” If feels great to score against Barcelona in such a big game,” the Real Madrid number 5 concluded.

Stop press: Jude Bellingham has won the Trophee Kopa for the best young U-21 player. We shall present the detailed list after the ceremony. 

izu
+ posts

Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.

Izuchukwu Okosi

Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.

Previous Story

Rubiales Update: FIFA Hands Ex Spain’s FA Boss Three-year Ban From Football Activities 

Atiku Hails Fubara, Says LG Poll Ends Political Intimidation In Rivers    
Next Story

Atiku Seeks Electoral Act Amendment For Mandatory Electronic Voting,  Collation Of Election 

Featured Stories

Latest from News

Court Halts Nationwide Enforcement of Tinted Glass Permit Policy

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has suspended the nationwide enforcement of the Tinted Glass Permit policy following an interim court order restraining the police from proceeding with the exercise. The Force had, on December 15, 2025, announced the resumption of enforcement of
Previous Story

Rubiales Update: FIFA Hands Ex Spain’s FA Boss Three-year Ban From Football Activities 

Atiku Hails Fubara, Says LG Poll Ends Political Intimidation In Rivers    
Next Story

Atiku Seeks Electoral Act Amendment For Mandatory Electronic Voting,  Collation Of Election 

Don't Miss

The equity market closed in positive territory for the second time this week as stocks rose by 0.04%. Investors traded N15.07bn worth of shares.

Nigeria’s Equity Market Gains 0.87% As Investors React To MPC Meeting

Nigeria’s equity market recorded a 0.87% gain on Wednesday, marking
Ecobank profit

Ghana Govt’s Loan Restructure Hits Ecobank’s $540m Profit

Ecobank Group’s audited results for the year ending December 31,