Danil Krugovoy and Jude Bellingham, 2020.

Nargiz Mammadzada

Jude Bellingham, the young star of Real Madrid, who is currently attracting all the attention, has a bright career ahead of him.

In July this year, Spanish giants Real Madrid added young English star Bellingham to their squad — who previously played for German team Borussia Dortmund. The football player, wearing jersey number 5 for Real Madrid, has already managed to be recognised as one of the “best transfers of the summer.” Yet, beyond the accolades and the spotlight, who is Jude Bellingham? How old is he? What do we know about him and which teams has he played for?

Who is Jude Bellingham?

Jude Victor William Bellingham was born on 29 June 2003 in the town of Stourbridge, the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley in England’s West Midlands. Coming from a football-oriented family, he is the son of Mark Bellingham, a retired footballer. The Bellingham football legacy does not end there. Jude’s brother, Jobe Bellingham, also showcases his talent on the pitch, playing for Sunderland AFC.

“Despite his youth, he has demonstrated maturity beyond his years.”

Bellingham’s journey to football stardom began with Birmingham City, where he quickly caught the attention of fans and scouts alike. Known for his versatility, Bellingham is a midfielder who possesses a rare combination of technical prowess and a strong work ethic. Despite his youth, he has demonstrated maturity beyond his years, earning a spot in the England national team.

Birmingham U18

During his time in the Birmingham City Under-18 squad, Bellingham showcased his potential as a football prodigy. His performances on the pitch were nothing short of captivating — drawing attention not only for his skill but also for his ability to read the game. Bellingham’s time in the Birmingham U18s was a launching pad for his career. It provided him with a platform to refine his skills and make a lasting impression. It was here that the footballing world began to take notice of the young midfielder’s exceptional talent, setting the stage for his rapid ascent through the ranks.

Birmingham City

“At the age of 16 years and 38 days, he made history as Birmingham City’s youngest-ever first-team player.”

Bellingham’s football odyssey began at Birmingham City, where he joined as an under-8 player. His remarkable journey with the club reached a pinnacle when, at the age of 16 years and 38 days, he made history as Birmingham City’s youngest-ever first-team player. This debut in August 2019 underscored Bellingham’s precocious talent and marked the beginning of an extraordinary senior career.

Throughout the 2019–20 season, Bellingham continued to impress with his mature performances on the pitch. His contributions were not only notable for his age but also his remarkable consistency. At just 16 years and 63 days old, he further etched his name into Birmingham City’s record books by becoming the youngest player to score for the club. The significance of Bellingham’s move was commemorated by the retirement of the No. 22 shirt. It was a symbolic gesture to honour his contributions and inspire young footballers in the city.

Borussia Dortmund

“That transfer set a world record fee of 25 million euros for a 17-year-old at the time.”

In July 2020, Bellingham embarked on a new chapter in his football journey. He joined the prestigious club of the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund. His transition from Birmingham City to the Bundesliga powerhouse marked a historic moment in football. That transfer set a world record fee of 25 million euros for a 17-year-old at the time. This substantial investment spoke volumes about the faith Dortmund had in Bellingham’s potential.

https://twitter.com/BlackYellow/status/1629521856393801730

Bellingham wasted no time making an impact. In his inaugural competitive match with Borussia Dortmund, he became their youngest-ever goalscorer. Furthermore, he made history in February 2023 when he assisted Dortmund in a 4-1 victory over Hertha Berlin. It made him the youngest player to reach 50 Bundesliga victories. This accomplishment solidified his status as a player destined for greatness.

International Career

Bellingham’s international career is a testament to his prodigious talent and ascent in the footballing world. Representing England at various youth levels, he made his senior debut in November 2020, during a friendly against the Republic of Ireland. At just 17 years and 136 days old, Bellingham became England’s third-youngest full international, following in the footsteps of Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney.

“Bellingham’s youth did not hinder his impact.”

His journey continued at UEFA Euro 2020, where he became the youngest player to appear in a EURO finals tournament. Although Poland’s Kacper Kozłowski later set a new benchmark (17 years 246 days), Bellingham’s cameo against Croatia marked him as the youngest England player to feature in a major tournament.

Bellingham’s youth did not hinder his impact. At 18 years, he made history as the youngest player to feature in a EURO knockout game during England’s quarter-final defeat of Ukraine. The milestones continued at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where Bellingham — still a teenager — became the youngest player to score for England in the tournament, registering his first senior international goal against Iran.

Real Madrid

In a sensational move, Bellingham joined the ranks of Real Madrid in July 2023, donning the iconic number 5 jersey — which was previously worn by the legendary Zinedine Zidane. This transition to one of the world’s most esteemed football clubs signified another milestone in Bellingham’s burgeoning career.

https://twitter.com/BellinghamJude/status/1669335797734965251

His impact at Real Madrid was swift and profound. Bellingham entered the record books as the fourth player in the 21st century to score on both his La Liga and Champions League debuts for the club, joining the ranks of Cristiano Ronaldo (2009), Isco (2013) and Marco Asensio (2016). The young midfielder continued to make history over the summer, becoming only the second player to score in his first three Champions League games for the club since Christian Karembeu in 1998, with a standout performance at Braga on match day three.

However, the pinnacle of Bellingham’s early Real Madrid tenure came in his first Clásico on 28 October. Displaying nerves of steel, he scored a terrific equaliser before securing the winner in a memorable 2-1 triumph against Barcelona. This solidified his place as a pivotal force in Real Madrid’s midfield.

La Liga:

  • Fixtures played – 11
  • Goals Scored – 10
  • Assists w/ Goal – 2
  • Minutes Played – 947

Champions League:

  • Fixtures played – 3
  • Goals Scored – 3
  • Assists w/ Goal – 1
  • Minutes Played – 269

TOTAL:

  • Fixtures played – 14
  • Goals Scored – 13
  • Assists w/ Goal – 3
  • Minutes Played – 1216
  • Man of the Match Award: 10

Awards of 2023

In a standout year for Bellingham, 2023 saw the talented midfielder clinch two prestigious awards, affirming his status as one of football’s brightest young stars. Firstly, Bellingham secured the 2023 Kopa Trophy, an accolade presented by France Football to the best global under-21 player. The award — named after the late French footballer Raymond Kopa — is bestowed during a joint ceremony with the Ballon d’Or. Bellingham became the first Englishman to claim the Ballon d’Or Kopa Trophy.

Additionally, Bellingham received the 2023 Golden Boy Award, recognising him as the best football player in Europe under the age of 21. This accolade, determined by sports journalists, is awarded to the most impressive young male footballer playing in a European nation’s top tier. The 2023 edition was rightfully claimed by Real Madrid’s talented midfielder, solidifying his place as a standout talent in football. Bellingham is set to receive his well-deserved Golden Boy award at a ceremony in Turin on 4 December.

Watch Jude Bellingham’s best moments at Real Madrid:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGOnBMO_kdo

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Featured image courtesy of Vyacheslav Evdokimov via Wikimedia Commons No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.

Nargiz Mammadzada is the head of our Sports Section. She is from Baku, Azerbaijan, but currently lives in Gdansk, Poland. She also writes for various platforms in the United States, Australia, Canada and United Kingdom.

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