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

CNN
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Real Madrid’s return to the Santiago Bernabéu after their stadium was evacuated due to construction work should have been a celebration madridista But as time went on, the Spanish giants were held to a 1-1 draw with Getafe.

Jude Bellingham, who, in stoppage time, was the quickest to rebound from goalkeeper David Soria, entered the ball into the net and sealed Real Madrid’s fourth successive win – and their second in a late game 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 seemed to belong at the Bernabéu, as if he was stretching out his arms to the fans and they were cheering them on, singing the Beatles’ “Hey Jude” to him.

It was the loudest chant Bellingham had ever heard on the football field, he told Real Madrid TV afterwards.

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 jersey is now 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 Manager Carlo Ancelotti indicated after Saturday’s win that his integration into the squad had been confirmed by a holiday with some other young players, posting pictures on social media with French stars Aurelien Choameni 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 put on this shirt, I give everything I have and hope to continue like this.”

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

Known for his complete skills as well as his maturity and leadership qualities, Bellingham became the youngest-ever player in the Bundesliga. Captain During his time at Borussia Dortmund, he captained the German team when he was still just 19 years old.

And when he chose the number 5 shirt, a departure from his natural number 22, to honor the legacy of legendary midfielder Zinedine Zidane, those expectations were raised even higher.

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

“He’s a fantastic player…a complete midfielder who brings real pace and intensity to the game”. Ancelotti said After Bellingham made his debut in a pre-season match. “He moves very well off the ball and is different from our other midfielders.”

For Bellingham himself, the Bernabéu is simply “a place like no other”, as he puts it Social media After the winning goal he scored on Saturday. “Mi Casa.”