Bellingham thanks Ancelotti for discovering his “ideal position”

Few, if anyone, would argue that Jude Bellingham is the huge sensation of the current season. The Englishman, who is barely 20 years old, has surprised everyone by becoming Real Madrid’s guiding light and leader. So far this season, he has amassed 15 goals and 4 assists - outstanding figures which have helped him win the Golden Boy, the award given to the best young player in the eyes of journalists from several European newspapers.

Bellingham spoke to Italian media outlet Tuttospot, about how he is evolving in the Spanish capital: “I put all my efforts and commitment into improving myself, but really, all the credit has to go to Mr. Ancelotti who found the right position for me - he has given me more freedom on the pitch. So now, I am flying out on the pitch thanks to him”.

Struggling with the lingo

The Englishman only has words of gratitude for the Italian coach, but he also revealed that there on one area where he feels he is letting him down: “I know that I am disappointing him in one aspect... I still don’t speak Spanish... I’m sorry, but I’m encountering unexpected obstacles with the language. It’s hard for me, I have to admit. In any case, I do promise maximum commitment, guaranteed,” he admitted.

While Jude is exceeding expectations, another recent signing, Arda Güler is experiencing the opposite - he has yet been able to make his debut for the the first team. Bellingham, when asked who he thinks the next big sensation could be, mentioned his Turkish team mate: “I will say three names. First of all, Arda Güler is a phenomenon, we watch him in training every day and we are delighted with him. Then my former team mate Jamie Bynoe-Gittens from Borussia Dortmund. And lastly, my brother Jobe, a full-blooded striker like our father,” the Englishman said. “And by the way, a special mention for my friend Jamal Musiala, who came second, and with whom I shared a locker room for three years at youth level for England”.

Great honor

Jude also spoke about how proud he is to receive the Golden Boy - an award he missed out on in previous years, finishing second behind Pedri in 2021 and Gavi last year: “There are a lot of happy people in Madrid, starting with the president, but above all, I’m proud for myself. I’m happy and obviously I would like to thank all of the members of the panel who voted for me. I was dying to win it, it’s a lifelong trophy that you can only win once. The list of honors confirms how prestigious the award is and what it means. I’m the third English player to have won it, after Wayne Rooney, one of my idols and Sterling. This was my last chance to win it, because in 2024 I will be too old to. I’m delighted to have won it at the third attempt. For me, the Golden Boy is another incentive to keep giving more of myself and becoming a better player”.

Special mention for Madrid team mates

The Madrid player didn’t forget about the players who accompany him in the day-to-day routine at Real Madrid: “I’d like to thank my team mates at Real Madrid and the whole squad, Mr Ancelotti, the president, my family, my mum Denise and my dad Mark, my younger brother Jobe, and my friends who have inundated me with congratulatory messages and continue to do so. Without all of those people, and without their support both on and off the field, their constant help - and without forgetting the fans too, I would not have won the Golden Boy,” he confessed.

We are getting closer to the midway point in the season and Bellingham still doesn’t know how it feels to win a trophy at Real Madrid - although that is something that will come sooner or later. He hopes that the good results that the team has registered so far will be recompensed with silverware at the end of the campaign: “I’m a person that loves to compete and I am ambitious. Now I have the prestigious Golden Boy award in my hands I want to continue progressing. I hope that this accolade serves as a launching pad to win many more trophies,” he concluded.