Jude Bellingham & Jamal Musiala Told to Follow Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo’s Footsteps If They Fail to Win Golden Boy Award by Founder

Both Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala have started their careers at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich brightly. The two youngsters are nominated for the prestigious Golden Boy Award. But the Golden Boy founder has now suggested that even if either of the pair don’t win it, they can still follow in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t win the Golden Boy award when he was at Manchester United during his fledgling years for the English club. But, of course, he has since gone on to etch his name as one of the soccer greats. Now, the Golden Boy founder Massimo Franchi expressed his thoughts ahead of the ceremony on 4th December in Turin.

Golden Boy founder suggests Bellingham and Musiala could follow Ronaldo’s career

Speaking ahead of the Golden Boy ceremony, the award’s founder Massimo Franchi suggested both Musiala and Bellingham could still achieve great success in their careers even if they don’t win the award.

Speaking to the media Franchi said, “If Bellingham or Musiala don’t win Golden Boy? Think of Cristiano Ronaldo. He never won the Golden Boy. Look where he is now, what a gigantic career he has had. He’s an inspiration.”

While citing a story about Ronaldo during his Real Madrid days, Franchi said, “I have known Cristiano Ronaldo since Real Madrid. He is doing everything for success. I was at the wedding of his then-agent Jorge Mendes. Ronaldo was there too. At this big party, the most expensive champagnes and simply everything. Ronaldo only drank still water, and a small Coke during the meal. When the final glass – champagne – was poured for the final toast, he only tasted the champagne with his lips and then put the glass away. But he didn’t even take a sip. That’s what I call an iron mentality.”

Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or five times as his career progressed despite not winning the Golden Boy award. But will Bellingham or Musiala win the Golden Boy accolade? Here are the players who have won it in the recent past…

Also read: “Today [Cristiano] Ronaldo Was Unlucky” – After MOTM Performance in Al Nassr Win, CR7’s Teammate Highlights Missed Chances vs. Al Taee

Golden Boy award winners in the recent past

The Golden Boy has seen some of the best and brightest youngsters pick up the award through the years. 2019 saw now-Barcelona’s Joao Felix pick up the award. While Manchester City’s Erling Haaland picked up the award in 2020. Both Barcelona youngsters Pedri and Gavi won the award in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

It remains rather open for this year’s award. But Bellingham is ranked at no.1 to win it, while Musiala is ranked no.2. Bellingham has scored 6 goals and made 1 assist in 7 games for Real Madrid this season, while Musiala has only made 2 assists for Bayern in 5 games this season.

Other players in the top 5 are Antonio Silva at no.3, Xavi Simmons at no. 4, and Pablo Gavi at no.5. However, who eventually wins the award remains to be seen. But it’s an exciting race nonetheless!

Watch this story: Soccer Stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Make a Huge Assist for Esports Space