Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham has won the 2023 Golden Boy award, according to The Athletic.
The Golden Boy award is presented to the best footballer under the age of 21 each year and was created by the Italian outlet Tuttosport in 2003, with journalists voting for the winner. Previous recipients of the award include Wayne Rooney (2004), Lionel Messi (2005) and Paul Pogba (2013). Barcelona’s Gavi picked up the trophy last year.
Bellingham’s victory follows the 20-year-old midfielder collecting the Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d’Or awards in October, where he was recognized as the best under-21 player in world football.
Bellingham moved to Real Madrid from Dortmund earlier in the summer transfer window and has so far earned plaudits for his exceptional performances, having scored 13 goals and assisted three times in 14 appearances across all competitions this season.
The England international managed to fend off competition from a range of nominees, including the likes of Rasmus Hojlund, Jamal Musiala and Benjamin Sesko, to pick up the prestigious award.
Real Madrid’s Linda Caicedo picked up the Golden Girl award. The 18-year-old joined the Spanish club from Deportivo Cali in February and was chosen as the best player of the tournament in the 2022 Copa America.
Four Premier League players were nominated – Manchester United’s Hojlund, Chelsea defender Levi Colwill, Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez and Brighton striker Evan Ferguson.
