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Jude Bellingham could comfortably win the 2023 Golden Boy Award with support from an unexpected section of fans. Taylor Swift's fans have created a social media movement to vote for Bellingham for the Golden Boy award after a video of comments made by Alejandro Balde regarding his dislike for the American songwriter's music surfaced on social media.
Bellingham was already a favorite among fans and experts alike, but now he has leaped ahead of all other contenders courtesy of the Swifties. Two Barcelona players have won the prestigious award in the last two years, and Balde was hoping to be the third consecutive player from his club to win it.
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Balde is quoted as saying, “Do I like Taylor Swift? No, I don't like her music." The Barcelona youngster's comment didn't go well with the American singer's fans, who turned against Balde in the Golden Boy award voting.
This has seemingly turned the vote around as Balde was initially leading in the fan vote, sitting on 30,000 votes, but the antics of Real Madrid and Taylor Swift fans, for that matter, seemingly worked, as, according to Spanish journalist Martin Manin, Bellingham rocketed up to 100,000 votes in a short period of time.
If Bellingham manages to win the award, it will be deserved, as after a stellar season at Dortmund, the midfielder became the first Englishman to win La Liga's Player of the Month award after moving to Real Madrid. Bellingham has five goals and one assist in four games for Madrid so far.
Bellingham had 14 goals and five assists for Dortmund last season almost leading them to the Bundesliga title. Balde, on the other hand, had a breakout season last season, getting seven assists and one goal in 44 games while winning La Liga with Barcelona. It will be justice if either player wins the award, as both have been among the best players in the world in their respective positions.
