In the realm of European football, young talents emerge, but few shine as brightly as Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham. The 20-year-old Englishman, who recently transferred from Borussia Dortmund to the Spanish giants, is now leading the pack for this year's coveted Golden Boy award.
The Golden Boy trophy, presented annually, celebrates the best young player in Europe under the age of 21 based on their performance over the past year. This year's shortlist has been narrowed down to 20 players, with Bellingham being the standout favorite.
Bellingham's journey to the top has been nothing short of meteoric. Before his move to Real Madrid, he was already making waves in the German Bundesliga. In the 2022/23 season, he was crowned the German Bundesliga Player of the Season, a title awarded by the DFL (German Football League). This accolade came after Bellingham's impressive tally of 14 goals and seven assists in 42 appearances for Dortmund. Not just an offensive force, he also showcased his defensive skills, winning 482 tackles, the highest in the league that season.
His transition to Real Madrid has been seamless. Under the guidance of manager Carlo Ancelotti, Bellingham has already netted eight goals in La Liga and added two more in the UEFA Champions League. Ancelotti, in a post-match interview following a win against Osasuna, lauded Bellingham's maturity, stating, "His maturity is remarkable, he makes us forget that he is only 20."
The departure of Karim Benzema from Real Madrid left a void in the team's attacking lineup. However, Ancelotti's decision to deploy Bellingham in a 'false 9' position has proven to be a masterstroke. Even with the absence of Brazilian star Vinicius Junior due to injury, Bellingham has kept the team's attack potent. His goal-scoring prowess has drawn comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo's early days at Real Madrid.
Internationally, Bellingham is also expected to make an impact. He is set to represent England in their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy. With the world watching, it will be intriguing to see if Bellingham can replicate his club form on the international stage.
However, the race for the Golden Boy award is not a foregone conclusion. Bellingham faces stiff competition, notably from FC Barcelona's Alejandro Balde. The 19-year-old defender has been a revelation for the Catalan club, with manager Xavi Hernandez placing immense trust in him. While Bellingham's goal-scoring feats are hard to ignore, Balde's defensive masterclasses have also caught the eye.
The Golden Boy award also introduced five wildcards this year, including Arda Güler, Lamine Yamal, El Khannouss, Martin Baturina, and João Neves. With the award ceremony scheduled for November, it remains to be seen if any of these young talents can eclipse Bellingham's shining star.
