Jude Bellingham WINS the 2023 Golden Boy prize after his stunning displays for Real Madrid, while Erling Haaland beats Lionel Messi to the Golden Man award… and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati is named the Golden Woman
- Jude Bellingham has won the Golden Boy award for the best young player
- Man City's Erling Haaland celebrated being named the best senior men's player
- What will kill the ageless Man United fans is that in this fantastic season full of goals, they are a team with NOTHING to offer: It all starts
Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham celebrated individual success on Monday after receiving personal accolades at the Golden Boy gala in Turin, Italy.
England and Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham received the coveted Golden Boy award, which recognizes the most impressive young male footballer of the past calendar year.
Bellingham has played a starring role since joining Madrid in a £115 million summer transfer from Borussia Dortmund. He has scored 15 goals in all competitions so far, breaking Cristiano Ronaldo's record for the most goals scored in a player's first 15 games with the Spanish giants.
The 20-year-old is already regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world and Monday's performance shows just how highly respected Bellingham is.
Meanwhile, Manchester City goalscorer Erling Haaland defeated Lionel Messi to claim the Golden Player Man award for his stunning performances that helped the club achieve the Treble last season.
Jude Bellingham received the coveted Golden Boy award at a ceremony in Turin, Italy
Bellingham has played for Real Madrid so far this season, scoring 15 goals in all competitions
Haaland's sensational debut season in Manchester saw him score 52 goals in 53 appearances for Pep Guardiola's side, including scoring the most goals in a single Premier League season.
The evening also saw celebrations of the women's match, with Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati recognized as the best women's player.
The 25-year-old won the Champions League with the Catalan club before lifting the Women's World Cup trophy with Spain.
Bellingham received a rock star welcome when he was mobbed by paparazzi covering the gala, but demonstrated his joy after receiving his top prize.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Bellingham said: “I couldn't be more grateful to all the people I've met along the way to help me get to the point where I am today.
Man City striker Erling Haaland was recognized with the Golden Man Award for the best men's player
Spanish and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati was recognized as the best women's player
'It's about making 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 be on that list is such a great honour.
“I think Wayne Rooney was probably my biggest influence growing up because obviously he's from England and the way he played, the way he fought, but there's so many other players that I took bits from.
“I am very grateful for everything football has given me in my life so far and the support from my family to keep playing and enjoying it has been enormous,” he added.
Haaland was not present at the event but posted his thoughts online, describing his achievement as an 'honour'.
