In a short video message, Bellingham thanked those who voted, his three clubs, Birmingham City, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, and his family. ‘Now I have this beautiful award I will strive for more,’ he promised.

It is personal reward for his incredible year of progress inside the team environment.

Jude Bellingham has been crowned European Golden Boy after a year of great performances

The 20-year-old was confirmed as the winner of the prestigious Under-21s prize in Turin

Bellingham helped Borussia Dortmund chase Bayern Munich all the way to the final minutes of the day before finishing as runners-up in the Bundesliga last season, and has made an explosive start to his career in Spain.

He has scored 13 goals in his first 14 appearances for Real Madrid after his £88.5million transfer from Dortmund in June and become an instant hit at the Bernabeu.

With 27 England caps already, he is integral to Gareth Southgate’s plans for Euro 2024 in Germany. Only Rooney with 35 caps, and Marcus Rashford with 29, have accumulated more England caps before the age of 21.

Bellingham could have equalled Rashford’s total during this international break but withdrew from qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia and returned to Real Madrid for treatment on a shoulder injury,

The Golden Boy award is confirmation of what has become clear over the last 18 months, that this young man from Birmingham is a rare talent destined for a glittering career at the very top of the game.

The annual award recognises the best Under-21 footballers playing in Europe. It is organised by Italian newspaper Tuttosport and winners decided by a panel of international journalists, a board of legends and an online vote.

Rafael van de Vaart was the first winner in 2003 and the roll of honour includes Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Aguero and Kylian Mbappe.

Bellingham is in good company winning the award – Lionel Messi bagged the prize in 2005

Kylian Mbappe won the award in 2017 for his exploits at Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain

The previous winners were Gavi and Pedri, both of Barcelona so Bellingham’s success will further enhance his status in Madrid. He is the first Real player to win it.

There was further success for English football among other associated awards, judged by Tuttosport’s board of legends, former stars of world football including Andriy Shevchenko, Hristo Stoichkov and Pavel Nedved.

The legends voted Erling Haaland of Manchester City and Norway as European football’s best male player for 2023 and Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona and Spain as the best female player.

Tony Bloom of Brighton won the award for Europe’s best president. Edu, sporting director of Arsenal, won the award for best executive manager.

Wayne Rooney was the first Englishman to claim the prize, doing so in 2004 after blistering form for Everton and Manchester United

Raheem Sterling is the only other Englishman to claim the gong, winning it in 2014 at Liverpool

Roll of honour

2022 Gavi (Barcelona)

2021 Pedri (Barcelona)

2020 Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)

2019 Joao Felix (Benfica/Atletico Madrid)

2018 Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax)

2017 Kylian Mbappe (Monaco/PSG)

2016 Renato Sanches (Benfica/Bayern)

2015 Anthony Martial (Monaco/Man United)

2014 Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)

2013 Paul Pogba (Juventus)

2012 Isco (Malaga)

2011 Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund)

2010 Mario Balotelli (Inter/Man City)

2009 Alexandre Pato (AC Milan)

2008 Anderson (Man United)

2007 Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid)

2006 Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)

2005 Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

2004 Wayne Rooney (Everton, Man United)

2003 Rafael van der Vaart (Ajax)