GOLDEN GIRL
Real Madrid and Colombia star Linda Caicedo wins 2023 Golden Girl award
The 18-year-old is the second Madrid player to pick up a gong, with Jude Bellingham named 2023 Golden Boy.
Real Madrid’s youngsters are officially the best in Europe. Or at least two of them are. Jude Bellingham became the first ever winner of the Golden Boy award in 2023 and has been joined in winning a gong by Colombia starlet Linda Caicedo, the newest Golden Girl.
What is the Golden Girl award?
Both awards are presented by Italian newspaper Tuttosport and are handed out to the best players under the age of 21 playing in a European country’s top division. 50 sports journalist voted the Madrid duo into first place in their respective categories, with the trophies to be handed out at a gala in Turin, Italy on Monday 4 December.
Caicedo “outstanding” at FIFA Women’s World Cup
“Linda Caicedo has won the Golden Girl award at the age of just 18. Despite her youth, she played an outstanding role for Colombia at the last World Cup, helping them to reach the quarter-finals. Her goal against Germany was also voted the best of the tournament, and she has been nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award. At Real Madrid, she has been one of the most influential players since joining the club in February 2023. The Colombian has also been nominated for The Best FIFA Women’s Player of the Year Award 2023,” read a statement on the Spanish club’s website.
Yet more recognition for Caicedo at the end of a momentous year in which made the move to Europe upon turning 18 and made 24 appearances for Real Madrid in all competitions (Liga F, Copa del la Reina, Champions League), scoring four goals.
Golden Boy award winners
Caicedo and Real Madrid ready for Barcelona
On Sunday 19 November, the Colombian and her teammates face one of their biggest games of the season when they take on Barcelona in Liga F’s very own Clásico. In Caicedo’s debut in the fixture back in March, Las Blancas were beaten by a solitary Fridolina Rolfö penalty goal to nil.