Having successfully secured his dream transfer to the Spanish giants, Jude Bellingham now aims to stand shoulder to shoulder with the greatest players in Real Madrid’s history.
Last month, Bellingham finalized a transfer worth 103 million euros (£88.5 million) from Borussia Dortmund to the prestigious Bernabeu, cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young talents.
At just 20 years old, he is well aware of the rich history associated with the iconic white shirt and has previously mentioned Zinedine Zidane as a source of inspiration. However, Bellingham also has his sights set on a long and successful career of his own.
“The primary motivation for this move is my desire to be part of a club that consistently competes for titles. I aim to contribute and help the team and the club achieve the same level of excellence it has maintained throughout its history,” he shared with the PA news agency.
“This is my opportunity to be a part of history, and it aligns perfectly with my goals because both the club and I share the ambition to win. Hopefully, we can achieve that together.”
“The sheer size and legacy of the club already make it incredibly enticing, but when you factor in the ambitious project they have in place, it became clear to me that this was the right step to take. It feels like the perfect place for me,” he added.
For many, the prospect of a lucrative move to Real Madrid at such a young age would be daunting, but Bellingham’s path has prepared him exceptionally well.
His approach to his career has been distinct since making his debut for Birmingham at the age of 16 and then joining Dortmund a year later. Therefore, the financial aspect is unlikely to weigh heavily on him.
Compared to most young players, especially young English players, he remarked, “My journey has been quite unconventional. It’s truly unique because I’ve played in three different countries without ever playing in the Premier League.”
“Whenever I travel with the national team and see the journeys of other players,” he continued, “it serves as a constant reminder. Nevertheless, I take great pride in the risks I’ve taken thus far, and as long as they continue, I simply approach everything with composure.”
So far, pressure has been a constant companion on my journey. I started playing for the first team at Birmingham when I was just 15 or 16 years old, and at the time, I believed that pressure was as intense as it could get. However, as I’ve progressed through different stages of my life, the pressure has only intensified.
“Until now, I’ve consistently demonstrated my ability to handle it, and if I had any doubts, I wouldn’t have made the move. I believe it’s a perfect fit because I have the right support system in place to guide me through it,” the speaker remarked.
Even though Bellingham is now one of the most well-known names in the sport, not too long ago, he was a young kid playing in the parks of Stourbridge. Today, he serves as an ambassador for the McDonald’s Fun Football program, the UK’s largest grassroots initiative for children aged 5 to 11, where 250,000 children received free football coaching in the past year.
“This holds immense significance,” Bellingham expressed. “When you observe the environment McDonald’s has fostered, with kids of all ages coming together to play football without any pressure and plenty of smiles, it’s truly remarkable. This project is fantastic, and it’s wonderful to acknowledge the 250,000 youngsters who will have the opportunity to engage in football this year. We had an incredible day.
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I can vividly remember my parents often taking me to events like these, where the primary goal is sheer enjoyment.
These are the kinds of days that truly ignite your passion for the sport. I’m not here speculating about who the next superstar might be, but you never know how it might influence one of these kids in terms of pursuing their dream of becoming a footballer.”
