Following their respective victories at the Golden Boy gala in Turin, Italy, on Monday, Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham celebrated their unique accomplishments.
Bellingham, an England and Real Madrid midfielder, won the rare Golden Boy award, which is given to the best young male football player of the previous calendar year.
Bellingham broke Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for the most goals scored in a player’s first 15 games at the Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid by netting 15 goals in all competitions since moving from Borussia Dortmund to Madrid for £115 million in the summer.
Bellingham, who is only 20 years old, is already considered to be among the world’s top midfielders, and Monday’s accomplishment only serves to reinforce this opinion.
Erling Haaland of Manchester City, who scored goals for the team in the previous season, defeated Lionel Messi to win Golden Player Man for his incredible performance.
Haaland scored 52 goals in 53 games during his incredible first season in Manchester, setting a record for most goals in a single Premier League season.
Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati was named the best women’s player of the evening, adding to the celebration of the women’s game.
The 25-year-old lifted the Women’s World Cup trophy with Spain after winning the Champions League with the Catalan club.
Bellingham was greeted like a rock star by the paparazzi covering the gala, but he showed his happiness at being awarded first place.
“I can’t be more grateful to all the people I have met along the way to help get me to the point I am at now,” Bellingham said in her speech during the awards ceremony.
Being on that list is such a great honor. It’s about wanting to make my team and my country the best teams in the world. To be the best player in the world, you have to help your team win.
“There are a lot of players that I’ve taken parts from, but growing up, Wayne Rooney was probably my biggest influence because he was from England and the way he played and fought.”
“My family’s support to keep playing and enjoying football has been huge, and I’m grateful for everything football has given me in my life so far,” he continued.
Haaland didn’t attend the function, but he shared his opinions online, calling his accomplishment an “honor.”
