Jude Bellingham credits 'biggest influence' Wayne Rooney after emulating England great to win Golden Boy award

Jude Bellingham saluted Wayne Rooney as his "biggest influence" growing up as the England starlet picked up the Golden Boy award for the best Under-21 player in Europe.

The Real Madrid midfielder was named as the winner of the coveted annual prize in September, and collected his prize on Monday evening at a ceremony in Turin.

Bellingham joins a decorated list of players to win the award that includes the likes of Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and two other Englishmen: Raheem Sterling and Rooney.

On receiving his two prizes, the Absolute Best and Golden Boy Web awards, Bellingham paid tribute to former England and Manchester United great Rooney.

“It’s about trying to make my team and my country the best teams in the world,” Bellingham said.

“I think to be the best player in the world, that’s what you have to do, to help your teams win. To join that list is such a big honour.

“For me I would probably say that Rooney was my biggest influence growing up.

“Being from England, the way he played, the way he fought. But there are so many other players I’ve taken bits from.”

Bellingham took the prize after an outstanding year at club and international level.

The 20-year-old was named Bundesliga Player of the Season for 2022-23 as Borussia Dortmund agonisingly missed out on the title on the final day, before joining Real in the summer.

He also played a key role in England reaching the quarter-finals at the 2022 World Cup, while he has started life in Spain in spectacular form, scoring 15 goals in 17 games in all competitions.

“I’m just very lucky. I’ve played with some amazing players since I started playing football and I just stole loads of little techniques off them,” Bellingham added.

“I can’t be more grateful to all the people that I’ve met along the way, who have helped get me to the point where I am now.

“I’m very lucky to be playing football because I don’t have a clue what I’d be doing if I wasn’t. I would probably be at university messing around, something like that.

“Football has given me everything I’ve had in my life so far and the support from my family to keep playing and keep enjoying it has been huge. Without football I wouldn’t be as happy as I am today.”

Bellingham also won the Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony last month, the prize given to given to the best Under-21 player worldwide.

As things stand this term, he has helped lead Real Madrid to the top of not just the La Liga table, but also their UEFA Champions League group.

Next up for Carlo Ancelotti’s side is a trip to Real Betis on Saturday, December 9.

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

Crystal Palace v Liverpool will be live on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate with coverage from 11:00 on Saturday, December 9 ahead of kick off at 12:30.

You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

To find out where your local establishments showing TNT Sports are, use our Pub Finder tool.

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media