Jude Bellingham names his brother alongside ‘phenomenon’ in three-man shortlist for the Golden Boy award
Jude Bellingham believes his brother is in contention to win the Golden Boy award in the future.
The Real Madrid star was presented with the prestigious title on Monday night following a sensational 2023 for the midfielder and he was asked who could follow in his footsteps.
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Sports journalists decide the Golden Boy winners, with nominees being players under the age of 21 and playing in a European nation's top tier who are deemed to have had the most impressive year.
Previous recipients include Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, with Bellingham the 21st player to be honoured since it was first awarded to Rafael van der Vaart in 2003.
Speaking to Tuttosport, who established the prize, he was asked who might win the 2024 edition and began with his teammate. "I'll say three names," he began.
"First of all, Arda Guler is a phenomenon, we see him training and we are delighted with him.
READ MORE ON JUDE BELLINGHAM
"Then my former teammate Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, from Borussia Dortmund. And finally, my brother Jobe, a thoroughbred striker like our father."
Bellingham's brother Jobe plays for Sunderland in the Championship, so would therefore currently be ineligible for the Golden Boy award.
However, he is just 18 years old and Jude believes he could be in contention to win if he makes it into the Premier League.
Jude added: "If Sunderland were to be promoted to the Premier League, watch out for him!"
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Bellingham is teammates with Guler at Madrid but injuries this season mean fans are still waiting for him to make his debut.
Bynoe-Gittens made 23 appearances with Bellingham during their time together at Dortmund, with the former still at the club and already scoring two goals this season.
Jobe has started all but one of Sunderland's 19 Championship games this term, netting three times for the play-off hopefuls.
When presented with his award in Turin, Jude, who was accompanied by his parents, told the audience: "I’m proud to win the Golden Boy Award," he said.
“My secret is the responsibility since I was a kid in the Academy. I love that.
“I want to get better every day and help Real Madrid. My focus is on that.
"Real Madrid is the best club in the world. I’m proud to play for Madrid. I want to win all the trophies with my club and the England national team."
In a stellar career to date, Bellingham has been able to call Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Toni Kroos, among others, his teammates.
"I'm very lucky to be fair, I've played with some amazing players since I've started playing football and I've just stolen loads of little techniques off them.
"I can't be more grateful for all the people I've met along the way that have helped me get to the point that I'm at now.
"It's about trying to make my team and my country the best teams in the world.
"I think to be the best player in the world it's what you have to do, you have to help your teams win."
Many will point to a two-horse race between him and Haaland for the 2024 Ballon d'Or.