According to experts, this is a unique phenomenon on the world football map.
His middle name is Victor and he has a desire to win in his nature. There was no doubt about his triumph in the poll, where 50 European journalists vote for the prince of football of the old continent, not all UEFA member states are represented and the strongest countries have more votes.
Jude Belingham collected 485 points out of the maximum number of 500, he was decided by an overwhelming majority, exactly 97% of the votes. Only French express Kylian Mbappé has achieved the same dominance when he became the Golden Boy in 2017, receiving 291 votes out of 300, but only 30 judges voted then.
No one else even came close. “Absolutely the right choice,” comments Spanish journalist Juan Castro from Marca, who regularly follows Bellinhgam’s performances in the royal Real Madrid jersey, comments on his reign. “He is already the star of the team at 21,” he points out.
A price tag of 150 million euros
He has only words of praise for the summer signing, which cost 103 million euros (almost two and three-quarters of a billion crowns) plus 35 million euros in possible bonuses (about 875 million crowns). “He is exceptional for his skills, mental strength, ability to score goals and motivate others,” calculates the respected Spanish publicist.
Fans of the white ballet were literally captivated by the English native with African and Irish roots (he also has Irish citizenship). In 13 matches, he scored 11 goals, added two assists, is asserting himself in the domestic competition and in the Champions League. Its market value has already risen to 150 million euros (3.75 billion crowns).
And it may not be far from the final amount. “It will continue to improve,” predicts Czech youth expert Jan Říčka. “He is hard-working, extremely demanding of himself, yet a team player,” he points out his qualities.
He missed the English Premier League
He is a graduate of Birmingham Academy. “They work excellently with the youth in it,” Říčka pays tribute to the competition, as he worked as a youth talent scout for Chelsea and last year for Manchester City.
Bellingham is one of the gems that the Birmingham hatchery has bred. “He was already in the English Premier League at 16, and that is a very demanding competition, the hardest in the world. Both physically and mentally. But Jude could handle it, I’m sure of that,” says Říčka.
However, he surprisingly went to Germany, heading to Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2020 at the age of 17. The severance pay was 30.15 million euros (about 750 million crowns). “He didn’t break down there and the progress continued,” says Říček, who also worked for Hamburger SV, the German educational system.
Medal standings
1. Jude Bellingham (England / Borussia Dortmund – Real Madrid)
2. Jamal Musiala (Germany / Bayern Munich)
3. Alejandro Balde (Spain / FC Barcelona)
1. Bellingham, 2. Höjlund, 3. Musiala, 4. Zaire-Emery, 5. Šesko
All the rich English clubs were lining up for the compatriot, everyone wanted to get him into the squad. “Even Manchester City,” Říčka reveals the interest of the champion of the last three years and the winner of the Champions League. “Unfortunately,” he sighs, “he would be a boost for Manchester,” he points out.
The wooing of an old lady
The scintillating English talent was watched by scouts across the continent. Little is known that he was quite close to leaving for the Italian Juventus Turin. This was revealed this year by Matteo Tognozzi, the former head of the “old lady” scouting, who worked in Turin from July 2017 to October 2023. He started as an international scouting consultant, then was promoted to scouting manager and subsequently to chief scout.
He revealed how the 36-time Serie A champion and two-time Champions League winner was not far from signing a player who is currently being praised by not only Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. “It is a real pity. We were close in 2019, I met Jude and his family, but he finally decided to continue his growth path in Birmingham,” admitted Tognozzi, who ended Juventus this year and headed to Granada, Spain.
Real’s first Golden Boy
Bellingham was finally poached by Real Madrid for a sinful sum. “The perfect address, every footballer’s dream come true,” agrees Říček with this choice. And fans of “meringue” are extremely satisfied. “He is an excellent footballer,” repeats the Spanish journalist Castro.
The club’s expensive purchase is paying off, Bellingham is great on the pitch, and has strong media and therefore commercial potential. Winning prestigious awards, such as the Golden Boy of the Italian newspaper Tutto Sport, also contributes to this.
Jude Victor Bellingham
Born June 29, 2003, Stourbridge (England)Playing career: Stourbridge FC (2008–2010), Birmingham FC (2010–2020), Borussia Dortmund / Germany (2020–2023), Real Madrid / Spain (2023).England representation: 2020-2023 (27/2) Achievements: Silver at the European Championship 2021, Golden Boy 2023 trophy holder – the best footballer in Europe under the age of 21, German Cup winner 2020/2021.
He is the first player of the world’s most famous and unsuccessful club to receive it, while three winners from rival Barcelona have so far boasted it – Lionel Messi in 2005, Pedri in 2021 and Gavi last year, which was seen as a shame in the capital of proud Castile.
The English jewel rubbed off on her slightly.
He has already established himself in the national team
Although according to his date of birth, he could also start in the lower age categories, he is already establishing himself in the A team of England. He made his debut on 12 November 2020 in a friendly against Ireland aged 17 years, four months and 14 days, replacing Mason Mount in the 73rd minute. He now has 27 matches and two goals scored.
He also belongs to the silver England team from Euro 2021, although he gained experience there and recorded only 55 minutes on three occasions as a substitute. In the basic group, he started for 22 minutes against the Czech team. “He definitely didn’t get lost among his seasoned teammates, he wasn’t a yelling youngster who timidly looks around,” noted the coach of the Czech national team, Jaroslav Šilhavý.
He was well aware of his talent and the references that went about him. “And he confirmed them,” declares Šilhavy. “He wasn’t afraid to take responsibility, he didn’t hide, his self-confidence just oozed out of him,” describes how the 18-year-old teenager performed in the match at Wembley, which ended in the closest match for the home team.
And that kept coming back to Bellingham. “He was also respected by such fighters as captain and scorer Harry Kane, stopper Harry Maguire and midfielder Declan Ricem,” says the Czech coach of England’s biggest stars. “He already belongs among them,” Šilhavy has no doubts.
Two years have passed, Bellingham is already the key man of the English national team and the shining personality of Real Madrid. And also the Golden Boy, the winner of the Golden Boy poll, which declares the best footballer in Europe under the age of 21, for the year 2023.
2023-12-04 18:10:34
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