Jude Bellingham names three contenders for 2024 Golden Boy
- 2023 Golden Boy awarded to Jude Bellingham by Tuttosport
- Midfielder has enjoyed phenomenal year with Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid & England
- 20-year-old tipped three players close to him to win next year's prize
By Sean Walsh
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham believes that Arda Guler, former teammate Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and his younger brother Jobe are three leading contenders to win the 2024 Golden Boy award.
Bellingham took home this year's prize following a sensational 2023 with Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and England.
After nearly leading BVB to their first Bundesliga title in over a decade - only to fall short on the final day when he was missing through injury - Bellingham secured a mega-money move to the Santiago Bernabeu. He's enjoyed a fast start to life with Real Madrid, breaking scoring records set by Cristiano Ronaldo during his short time with the club so far.
As part of an interview with the Golden Boy's parent publication, Tuttosport, Bellingham was asked which three players he believed could succeed him as the award's recipient.
"Excluding us from 2003 due to age limits - by the way, I send a greeting to my friend Jamal Musiala of Bayern, who came second, and with whom I shared the locker room of the English youth national teams for about three years - I'll say three names," Bellingham began.
"First of all, Arda Guler, who has now recovered from the injuries that prevented him from making his debut for Real: he is a phenomenon, we see him in training and we are enchanted by him.
"Then my former teammate Jamie Bynoe-Gittens from Borussia Dortmund. And finally my brother Jobe, a thoroughbred striker like our father."
It was then put to Bellingham that his brother is not currently eligible for the award as he plays for Sunderland, who play in the Championship - players must represent a team in a European nation's highest tier.
"But if the Black Cats were to rise to the Premier League, watch out for him!" Bellingham retorted in defence of Jobe.
Jobe Bellingham only turned 18 back in September but has become an integral part of a Sunderland team fighting for a Championship play-off spot.
Meanwhile, Guler is yet to make his Real Madrid debut having battled various injury problems since joining from Fenerbahce over the summer.
Dortmund winger Bynoe-Gittens has seen an upturn in game time recently following an impressive run of form at Signal-Iduna Park, notably grabbing a goal and assist in their 3-1 win at Milan in the Champions League.
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