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Jude Bellingham Golden Boy 2023X/Instagram/Tuttosport
Chris Burton

Jude Bellingham picks up 2023 Golden Boy prize after stunning start at Real Madrid - as Erling Haaland gains Ballon d'Or revenge over Lionel Messi with Golden Man nod

Jude Bellingham has picked up his Golden Boy award for 2023, with the Real Madrid superstar recognised as the best young player on the planet.

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  • England ace has made a stunning impact in Spain
  • Previously caught the eye for Borussia Dortmund
  • Recognised as world's best under the age of U21

  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    The England international midfielder is considered to be the world’s brightest talent under the age of 21. He now has a shiny trophy to prove as much, with the 20-year-old playmaker seeing his efforts at Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid acknowledged. In being named the Golden Boy, Bellingham follows in the footsteps of previous winners such as Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi, Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.

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  • WHAT BELLINGHAM SAID

    Bellingham, who has scored 15 goals for the Blancos through 17 appearances to break records previously posted by Cristiano Ronaldo, said when collecting his prestigious prize in Turin: “I can't be more grateful to all the people I have met along the way to help get me to the point I am at now. It's about trying to make my team and country the best teams in the world and to be the best player in the world you have to help your teams win and to join that list is such a big honour. I think Wayne Rooney was probably my biggest influence growing up, obviously being from England and the way he played, the way he fought, but there are so many other players that I've taken bits from. I'm really grateful for everything football has given me so far in my life and the support from my family to keep playing and keep enjoying it has been huge.”

  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Haaland also added another trophy to his roll of honour courtesy of the awards handed out by Italian publication Tuttosport, with the prolific Manchester City striker getting revenge of sorts on Ballon d’Or winner Messi by walking away with the Golden Player Man award – having hit 52 goals last season in City’s historic Treble triumph.

  • WHAT NEXT FOR BELLINGHAM?

    Bellingham and Haaland are expected to challenge for Ballon d’Or honours in the future, with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain forward Mbappe, Bayern Munich starlet Jamal Musiala and Barcelona pair Pedri and Gavi also forming part of an exciting generation of talent that is looking to take over from eternal rivals Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.