Follow Us on Google
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has won the 2023 Golden Boy award, the prestigious honour bestowed upon the best and brightest young talent in European football each year, emphatically.
The 20-year-old won the vote from a final list of 20 names, which included Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, Paris Saint-Germain’s Warren Zaïre-Emery and Manchester United’s Rasmus Højlund.
Bellingham’s win — which was secured with a record number of points in the vote among journalists from 50 publications across Europe — denied Barcelona a hat trick of awards after their players had claimed it in the previous two years.
First established by Italian publication Tuttosport in 2003, the Golden Boy award is presented annually to the most impressive player under the age of 21 playing in the top tier of any European league during that calendar year.
The inaugural award was won by Rafael van der Vaart in 2003, and since then the prize has been handed to some of the very biggest names in both European and world football, although many of this century’s most elite players have it missing from their résumés.
Bellingham has created a milestone by becoming the first Real Madrid player to win the ‘Golden Boy Award’ in Turin on Tuesday.
Following his win, Bellingham said that he has big goals in his life, and to win as many trophies as possible. He added that there is a lot of pressure on both the Real Madrid and England National Team, but still, he is happy to represent both the big names. The star midfielder further dedicated the trophy to his country and the Spanish club.
“I have to have big goals, to win the lot if possible. I enjoy playing for my country, England, and with Real Madrid as well. The pressure is huge but I’m so happy to represent both of these teams. I’m going to give it my all to win trophies both for my country and for Real Madrid,” Bellingham said after winning the trophy as quoted by Real Madrid’s official website.
Earlier, Bellingham won the Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d’Or gala, again recognising him as the best player under 21 footballer.
The 20-year-old has enjoyed a stunning start to his first season for Real Madrid, scoring 15 goals already.
The Englishman scored his last goal for the Los Blancos in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) against Napoli, in which Real Madrid won the game by 4-2.
