Jude Bellingham Credits Wayne Rooney for Golden Boy Win

Jude Bellingham, the skillful midfielder from Real Madrid CF, conveyed his deep respect for Wayne Rooney while accepting the esteemed Golden Boy accolade, recognizing him as the top player under 21 in Europe. This significant honor was bestowed upon Bellingham in Turin on Monday night, cementing his place among the distinguished group of previous winners that comprises Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Raheem Sterling, and Rooney himself.

In his speech of gratitude, Bellingham shared his ambitious goal of propelling both his club and national team to become the epitome of excellence on a global scale. He recognized Rooney as the person who had the biggest impact on him, commending the former England and Manchester United superstar for his style of play and determination. Bellingham also mentioned that he has found inspiration from various other players throughout his career.

At the age of 20, the midfielder received the Golden Boy award after a remarkable year at both club and international levels. He was awarded the title of Bundesliga Player of the Season for the 2022-23 season while playing for Borussia Dortmund, narrowly missing out on winning the league. Bellingham then joined Real Madrid in the summer and has had an immediate influence, scoring 15 goals in 17 games across all competitions. When looking back at his journey, Bellingham conveyed his appreciation for the individuals who have backed him and played a role in his present achievements. He recognized the impact his family had on him and attributed football for granting him all that he possesses in life. Additionally, Bellingham’s triumph in receiving the Kopa Trophy during the recent Ballon d’Or event only further solidified his reputation as one of the most exceptional young players globally.

As the La Liga season advances, Bellingham has been crucial in Real Madrid’s triumph, guiding them to the summit of the league standings and their respective UEFA Champions League group. On Saturday, December 9, Crystal Palace will face Real Betis in an upcoming away match, which will be their next challenge.

For those excited to catch the Crystal Palace v Liverpool game, it will be aired on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate. The coverage will commence at 11:00 on Saturday, December 9, while the game itself will kick off at 12:30. TNT Sports can be accessed through popular TV platforms like discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media. Fans can utilize the Pub Finder tool to locate nearby establishments broadcasting TNT Sports.