Barcelona icon and 1994 Ballon d’Or recipient, Hristo Stoichkov, has voiced his disagreement with Jude Bellingham being awarded Tuttosport’s Golden Boy accolade.
Bellingham clinched the Golden Boy title, honoring the best under-21 footballer of the year, with an impressive 97% of the votes—an achievement previously matched by Kylian Mbappe in 2017. The 20-year-old midfielder made a notable move to Real Madrid during the summer transfer window from Borussia Dortmund, elevating his performance to new heights. Bellingham showcased his prowess by netting an extraordinary 13 goals in 14 appearances for the 14-time Champions League victors, contributing significantly to their triumphs in both domestic and European competitions.
Notwithstanding Bellingham’s remarkable accomplishments, former Barcelona luminary Stoichkov conveyed to Tuttosport his belief that there were more deserving candidates who were overlooked. He emphasized the absence of silverware in Bellingham’s 2023 trophy cabinet as a determining factor.
Stoichkov remarked, “No, he shouldn’t have won. I don’t question his talent. He is one of the most promising talents globally, displaying both class and intelligence. In my view, he’s a blend of Michael Laudrup, Kaka, and Paul Pogba. The future is bright for him. The next Ballon d’Or will likely involve him, Mbappe, and Haaland. However, I would like to know what he achieved in 2023, transitioning from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid. Nothing…”
He continued by suggesting alternative candidates for the award, stating, “Given that Gavi, the reigning winner, was ineligible under the regulations, I would have awarded it to either [Jamal] Musiala or [Alejandro] Balde, both of whom secured La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup with Barcelona.”
Bellingham narrowly missed securing the Bundesliga title with Dortmund at the close of the 2022/23 season, succumbing to injury on the final day as his team fell short against Bayern Munich.
Buoyed by Real Madrid’s impressive performances in La Liga and the Champions League at the beginning of the season, Bellingham is likely optimistic about claiming his inaugural winner’s medal before completing his first year at the Santiago Bernabeu.
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