Jude Bellingham, the third English player to win the title, receives 95% of the voting to be crowned the 2023 Golden Boy.
Jude Bellingham become just third English player to win award 2023 Golden Boy
Even prior to his transfer to Real Madrid, England’s Bellingham was the clear favorite to win the Golden Boy award this year.
However, sources in Spain assert that Bellingham is the clear favorite to win the 21st edition of the award, which is given out by the Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport.
It has been reported that 95% of media outlets have given the midfield player their vote throughout the selecting procedure.
Jamal Musiala, a former Croydon schoolboy who is currently a top player for Bayern Munich, is Bellingham’s closest competitor.
Rasmus Hojlund, a summer acquisition for Manchester United, and Lamine Yamal, a young player from Barcelona, are also believed to have given him competition.
Nevertheless, the Englishman, who thrashed Italy in this month’s Wembley Euro 2024 qualifier and has already netted 13 goals in as many games for the Bernabeu team, looks certain to be crowned the new Prince of European football the following month.
After Wayne Rooney in 2004 and Raheem Sterling in 2014, Bellingham would be just the third Englishman to win the award, which is given to players who are 21 years of age or under at the beginning of the season.
Lionel Messi in 2005, Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Aguero, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland in 2020 are among the other noteworthy winners.
Over the previous two seasons, Barcelona has dominated the honor, with Gavi and Pedri winning it respectively.
However, Bellingham would be the first member of Real Madrid to accept the honor.
On November 10, there will be an announcement of the award at a ceremony in Turin.
Bellingham’s most recent triumph was against Barcelona in the El Classico.
The midfield player opened play with a spectacular long-range equalizer before adding the game-winning goal in injury time.
Teammate Vinicius Jr. has gone so far as to compare Bellingham to the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid.
“Jude Bellingham is incredible,” the Brazilian remarked.
“He always makes a difference and the fans got used to Cristiano Ronaldo and now one more has arrived for us.”
