Barcelona legend questions Bellingham’s Golden Boy status amidst trophy critique

Jude Bellingham has emerged as a sensation since joining Real Madrid. With 13 goals and three assists across various competitions, the British midfielder has not only excelled statistically but has also left a strong impression on the overall game.

However, not everyone agrees that he deserves the coveted Golden Boy title.Praise for Bellingham has come from various corners of the world, with former German player Löthar Matthaüs expressing surprise at the midfielder’s goal-scoring prowess.

Yet, criticisms have also surfaced, particularly from Barcelona legend Hristo Stoichkov. While acknowledging Bellingham’s undeniable talent, Stoichkov questioned his suitability for the 2023 Golden Boy, citing a lack of titles in the year.

In an interview with Tuttosport, Stoichkov stated, “I don’t dispute his value. He is one of the strongest talents in the world, but I would like to know what he won in 2023 with Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid. Nothing…”.

This critique focused on the absence of success in terms of trophies despite Bellingham’s outstanding individual performance. Despite impressive numbers and a “monstrous” performance highlighted by Italian journalist Massimo Franchi, Stoichkov stood firm in his position.

He even used the dramatic conclusion of the last Bundesliga to bolster his argument, emphasizing the importance of titles in football according to Mourinho’s perspective.

When asked about his preferences for the award, Stoichkov mentioned Musiala and Balde as his favorites, suggesting that, given the previous winner Gavi was ineligible, he would have given it to one of the Barcelona players who won the La Liga and Supercopa de España.