There is no doubt that Jude Bellingham is already at the top of the ladder, the one that only football fans grant to footballers with their admiration, something that the Englishman has achieved four months after arriving at Real Madrid.

His presence in Turin to collect the Golden Boy award is proof of that. He has become a reference point and the importance he has assumed is clear to see.

It is safe to say that the award for the best U21 in the world doesn't fully describe his achievements.

Bellingham came first in the Golden Boy voting with 485 votes, taking the top spot with 97 percent of the votes cast by the journalists nominated for the award.

Only five journalists did not vote for him in first place. MARCA is part of the jury that awards the prize. The votes of our newspaper went to Jude Bellingham, Xavi Simons, Musiala, Lamine Yamal and the Portuguese Antonio Silva. On this occasion, the podium was completed by Alejandro Balde and Musiala.

The midfielder arrived at the OGR hall in Turin 10 minutes before the start of the gala organized by the Tuttosport newspaper. His presence brought everything that was happening to a standstill.

The best player in the 2023/24 LaLiga EA Sports appeared, as rock stars do, surrounded by up to eight members of security, as many club employees and his parents.

He exudes charm, but he does so because of his football and that intangible that he transmits and that captivates everyone, something that was evident from the very moment he landed in the Italian city.

🗣️ @BellinghamJude: "Hello, everyone, I'm really grateful to win this award. Thank you for the support from the fans and from everyone at the club as well. Players, coaches and staff." pic.twitter.com/8YYW35jYt3

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 4, 2023

Bellingham shares his joy at winning

Massimo Franchi, creator of the Golden Boy, took to the stage to present the Golden Boy award to Jude Bellingham, who did not hide his joy:

"Thank you very much for the Golden Boy. I'm very happy, very happy to be able to take this award," said the Englishman.

"I've been very lucky to be able to play with some great players. It's great to hear the world's great reactions to me. To be the best player in the world you don't just have to play well and score goals, you have to help the team as well.

"Thank you very much. I don't think I'm the best. It's an honor to be talked about for the Ballon d'Or. I'm in the best team in the world. We play to win every game. It's a pleasure to play for Real Madrid.

"The pressure is strong both in the national team and in the team, all the players I play with are top players and I have a very big list of idols. A big influence for me was Wayne Rooney."

The former Borussia Dortmund man won two replicas of the trophy: the usual one and the one awarded by the newspaper's website readers, which received three million votes.

"I'm very lucky to play football. If not, I would be studying at university now. I thank my family for instilling this sport in me since I was a child. Without football, I wouldn't be the same person," he concluded.