has won the Golden Boy award, recognised as the best Under-21 player in European football.
Still just 20 years old, Bellingham has had an amazing year, moving from to over the and making a huge splash in Spain.
The midfielder has scored 13 goals in his first 14 games for the Spanish giants, immediately becoming an integral part of Carlo Ancelotti’s team.
The former Birmingham City player has also taken his number of England caps to 27, scoring two goals, becoming a regular in Gareth Southgate’s starting XI at an incredibly young age.
As such, it is no surprise that he has been named as Golden Boy for 2023, an award won by some of the greats of the game since it was introduced 20 years ago.
Twice before an Englishman has won the award, with Wayne Rooney the winner in 2004 and Raheem Sterling in 2014.
Bellingham also won a similar award, the Kopa Trophy, during the Ballon d’Or ceremony, although that prize is handed out for the best performing Under-21 player worldwide.
Superstars like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Sergio Aguero and Erling Haaland have all won the Golden Boy before – handed out to players in European leagues rather than just European players.
While there have been some youngsters to win the Golden Boy and not really fulfil their potential, with the likes of Anderson and Anthony Martial on the list of winners.
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