Taylor Swift fans attempt to FIX Golden Boy 2023 vote
Cameron Smith
- 5 Sept 2023 21:05 BST
- 4 min read
Taylor Swift fans have bizarrely begun to influence the 2023 Golden Boy voting system as supporters of the Grammy-winning artist have taken to Twitter to dissuade people from voting for Barcelona star Alejandro Balde.
Swift, who has won 12 Grammy Awards during an illustrious career in the music industry, is one of the most beloved singers on the planet and is the most-streamed female artist of all-time on popular music streaming service Spotify.
Her fans are among the most devoted in the world and they have started a campaign to prevent Balde from winning this year’s Golden Boy award.
READ MORE: What is the Golden Boy award? Shortlist, rules and past winners
Earlier this year, the Barcelona left-back said: “Do I like Taylor Swift? No, I don't like her music,” which has not gone down well in one section of the music community.
‘Swifties’ - as they are known - have now taken to Twitter in a bid to urge their followers to vote for anyone bar Balde in this year’s Golden Boy award.
Currently, Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham is running away with the award, garnering 81.7% of votes as of writing. By comparison, Balde has received 14% of the votes after an impressive 12 months at Camp Nou.
READ MORE: Barcelona FORCED to loan star after REJECTED Premier League move
Bellingham has scored five goals and provided one assist in just four Real Madrid games since joining Los Blancos from Borussia Dortmund this summer.
What has been said?
Hey Swifties! 🫵👋 we can’t let this Balde guy win the golden boy award 😡💅 Vote for Jude Bellingham here 🫠👇
#TaylorSwift #1989TaylorsVersion https://t.co/705IUsahAk pic.twitter.com/8Y6m2uRmFF
— Not Python 🐍 (@notpythonn) September 5, 2023
Fairs, Balde that’s on you for not reppin Taylor Swift https://t.co/H9toAkLVOB
— BTEC footyTalk (@BTEC_footyTalk) September 5, 2023
What is the Golden Boy award?
The Golden Boy is an award handed out to the best footballer aged under-21 and playing a top tier league in Europe. It is awarded every year.
The award was established by Italian newspaper Tuttosport in 2003, with Rafael van der Vaart being named the inaugural Golden Boy.
Barcelona star Gavi won the 2022 edition, while previous winners include Erling Haaland (2020), Paul Pogba (2013), Sergio Aguero (2007), Lionel Messi (2005) and Wayne Rooney (2004).
Bellingham and Balde are joined on the list of nominees for the 2023 award by the likes of Jamal Musiala, Xavi Simons, Florian Wirtz and Rasmus Hojlund.
