Jude Bellingham: Why did Real Madrid fall in love with a 20-year-old Englishman?

Jude Bellingham: Why did Real Madrid fall in love with a 20-year-old Englishman?



CNN

Real Madrid’s return to the Santiago Bernabeu after its stadium was evacuated due to construction work was supposed to be a celebration Madridista But as time ticked by, the Spanish giants were drawing 1-1 with Getafe.

Jude Bellingham, who, in stoppage time, was the quickest to rebound goalkeeper David Soria, pushed the ball home, sealing Real Madrid’s fourth successive win – and their second late-game win in a row. In front of the wall of sound, the 20-year-old stood with his arms outstretched, pulled the club crest onto his shirt and pointed to the sky.

Bellingham looked like he belonged at the Bernabéu, as he was extending his arms to the fans and they were cheering their approval, singing the Beatles’ “Hey Jude” to him.

It was the loudest cheer Bellingham had ever heard on a football pitch, he later told Real Madrid TV.

“I couldn’t believe it, to be honest. When they were signing ‘Hey Jude’ at the end, I got goosebumps. I just wanted to turn around and stand still and listen to it while my legs were shaking. He said.

Already, Jude Bellingham’s goal-scoring celebration in Real Madrid’s famous white shirt has become ubiquitous – after just four La Liga matches, he has scored five goals, the most in the league.

Bellingham is the second player in Real Madrid’s history – after club legend Cristiano Ronaldo – to score in his first four La Liga matches.

For his role in Real Madrid’s perfect start to the season, he was named La Liga’s Player of the Month for August – his first month in the competition.

Bellingham has adapted to the team, Los Blancos Coach Carlo Ancelotti indicated after Saturday’s victory that his integration into the team was confirmed during a holiday with some other young players, and posted pictures on social media with French stars Aurelien Chouamini and Eduardo Camavinga.

“I don’t know what I did to deserve this, but I’m so grateful,” Bellingham added on Saturday. “Every time I wear this shirt, I give it my all and I hope to continue like this.”

When Bellingham Occurred With Real Madrid in June for €103 million ($110.4 million), plus additional fees, expectations were high from the young attacking midfielder.

Known for his all-round skill, as well as his maturity and leadership qualities, Bellingham became the youngest ever player in the Bundesliga. Team captain During his time at Borussia Dortmund, he captained the German side when he was still just 19 years old.

And when he chose the number 5 shirt, a departure from his normal number 22, to honor the legacy of legendary midfielder Zinedine Zidane, those expectations rose to an even higher level.

But, so far, Bellingham appears to have settled into his new role as a “very important” player for Real Madrid, as Ancelotti called him – ruling out the young Englishman’s goal contributions (goals plus assists) this season and Los merengues They will get seven fewer points and sit in the bottom half of the table.

“He is a fantastic player…a complete midfielder who brings real speed and intensity to the game.” Ancelotti said After Bellingham made his debut in a preseason game. “He moves very well without the ball and is different from our other midfielders.”

For Bellingham himself, the Bernabeu is simply “a place like no other,” he said Social media After the winning goal he scored on Saturday. “Mi casa.”

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