Jude Bellingham News...

Jude Bellingham: Borussia Dortmund midfielder named Bundesliga player of the season..

ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/BB1A/production/_129589874_gettyimages-1485092636.jpg

Borussia Dortmund's England midfielder Jude Bellingham has been named the Bundesliga player of the season.

Bellingham, 19, was key in his side's title challenge but a 2-2 draw with Mainz on the final day of the season saw them lose out to Bayern Munich.

He scored eight goals and provided five assists in 31 league appearances this season as Dortmund finished runners-up.

"Every year that I've played at the club my responsibility has increased," said Bellingham.

"I have to continue to be everywhere on the pitch and try my best to contribute going forwards and backwards and try and control games and dominate the midfield.

"My team-mates, the coaches and the staff have helped me to develop. I came to the club as a talented lad but I have added elements to my game that have taken it to the next level and I think that's down to them, mainly."

Bellingham is being tipped to join Real Madrid this summer in a deal worth more than 100m euros.

Last month, Liverpool dropped out of the race to sign the teenager because of the cost involved but Premier League champions Manchester City are still believed to be interested.

He joined Dortmund from Birmingham City in 2020 for £25m and has made over 130 appearances for the club.

Bellingham has won 24 caps for England and was one of the stand-out performers for Gareth Southgate's side in their run to the quarter-finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Jude Bellingham: From humble beginnings to shining on football's biggest stages..By Gary Rose, BBC Sport.

ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/4E1A/production/_129049991_bellingham1.png

Jude Bellingham's rapid rise in recent years has seen him about to become world football's third-most expensive teenager with a 103m euro move to Real Madrid.

England's Borussia Dortmund midfielder was wanted by a host of Europe's top clubs, including Manchester City and Liverpool, but has opted for a move to the Spanish giants for his next career step.

Aged just 19, Bellingham was one of England's standout performers at last year's World Cup and BBC Sport charts his path from a humble youngster at Birmingham City to a superstar.

'He cried when he left Birmingham'
When Bellingham left the Blues for Borussia Dortmund in 2020 for £25m, becoming the most expensive 17-year-old in the history of football, the Championship side were mocked by some for retiring the teenager's shirt number, despite only playing one full season of professional football.

But the ability he is showing to the world now, coupled with his humble attitude, highlights just why he was so well thought of at the Blues.

"He didn't want to leave Birmingham City, he cried," says football journalist Guillem Balague.

"Yet he has come out of his comfort zone and has developed into a very comfortable young man."

'He wasn't interested in football'
For someone so incredibly gifted, it seemed like he was always destined to become a footballer.

But as a child Bellingham was initially not that keen on the sport.

His first coach, Phil Wooldridge, remembered first meeting Bellingham when he was four.

"As soon as you put a football in front of him, [he was] not really interested," he told the BBC.

"It took a while [for him to get into football], it wasn't just overnight, it was a matter of a few months."

But when it clicked for Bellingham there was no stopping him.

He would tell his teachers and fellow pupils at his school that one day he would play for England and, as his love for the sport grew, Wooldridge and Bellingham's father set up a team called Stourbridge Juniors which he went on to play regularly for.

It was there he caught the eye of local professional clubs and at the age of seven he joined Birmingham City, where he would work under a coach who Bellingham credits with shaping him into the person and player he is today.

Mike Dodds, who is now a first-team coach at Sunderland, played a key role in Bellingham's development that would lead to him making his professional debut at the age of 16.

"He was my best coach educator, because if he wasn't happy with a session, if he wasn't happy with the kind of route that his development was going, he would be the first person to let me know his thoughts," Dodds told the BBC.

"He's just a magnificent human being, you know, he's a role model. He's got complete empathy for people around him, from a human perspective I haven't got enough words to kind of praise him with."

'He's just a phenomenon'
That empathy was clear to see for the millions watching at last year's World Cup when, after Harry Kane missed England's second penalty that would have levelled the scores against France, Bellingham was the first player over to comfort the striker.

Bellingham played just one season at Birmingham but was crucial in helping them avoid relegation to League One. The talent and maturity he showed on the pitch at only 17 caught the eye of many of the world's biggest clubs, but it was Borussia Dortmund who won the race to sign the player.

Rather than be overawed by the bigger stage the Bundesliga giants offered, Bellingham continued to excel and in October last year he made history by becoming Dortmund's youngest captain at just 19.

"Every time you think you've seen a fully formed Jude Bellingham he does something else, something different and adds more layers to his game," German football expert Raphael Honigstein said.

"He's just a phenomenon and it is sometimes frightening to think where he might be at his prime of 26 or 27."

ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/11605/production/_128537117_judebellingham.jpg
Jude Bellingham has hit double figures for Dortmund this season

Another layer Bellingham has added this season has been goals. In his previous two seasons at Dortmund he did not score more than six goals, but this season he has 14, including one against Manchester City in the Champions League in September.

Bellingham had also scored against Pep Guardiola's side in the quarter-finals of the competition two years earlier, and although Dortmund were knocked out, former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves - working as a TV pundit for that game - said Bellingham stood out above all others.

"The kid is an absolute diamond," he said.

"He was best player on the pitch in both games, against some of the best players in the world and he was still only 17.

"Then the way he walked down the touchline and greeted me and Rio [Ferdinand], he did it with such confidence, I thought that was really special."

For anyone still not aware of just how talented Bellingham is then they certainly knew about him after his performances at his first World Cup, where even his team-mates were unable to play down his ability.

Following another masterclass display in the 3-0 last-16 win against, Senegal, Manchester City and England midfielder Phil Foden said of Bellingham: "I don't want to big him up too much because he is still young," before adding: "But he's one of the most gifted players I have ever seen.

"He has no weakness in his game. I think he will be the best midfielder in the world."

Jude Bellingham: Why Real Madrid move makes 'perfect sense'..By Andy West, Spanish football writer.

ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/BB1A/production/_129589874_gettyimages-1485092636.jpg
Jude Bellingham signed for Borussia Dortmund from Birmingham City in July 2020

Jude Bellingham's move to Real Madrid fits in very neatly with the club's transfer strategy - buy the stars of the future, rather than the biggest names of today.

The best way to understand how that approach has evolved is to look at the club's recent history in the market.

For many years, Real Madrid were renowned for being 'Los Galacticos' - a squad packed full of expensively assembled superstars, bringing unmatched glitz and glamour to their trophy-hungry fans.

The policy was instigated in 2000 by newly appointed president Florentino Perez, who started his spree by launching an audacious move to sign Luis Figo, the best player at eternal rivals Barcelona. He was quickly followed by Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, David Beckham and Robinho as Perez continued to spend.

Another wave of high-end purchases followed after Perez returned to the presidency in 2009: Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez were among those recruited for massive fees, with Real determined to position themselves as the ultimate dream destination for any superstar with serious ambitions.

But then something changed. After years of spending every summer chasing the biggest names, Real halted the Galacticos policy and started to focus their recruitment strategy on the world's most promising youngsters.

How Real Madrid's 'glamour' gives them a transfer advantage despite changing financial landscape..By Harry De Cosemo, BBC Sport.

ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/10E28/production/_130806196_gettyimages-1595086152.jpg
Bellingham could become the most expensive British player ever with add-ons included in his contract

At Jude Bellingham's unveiling as a Real Madrid player following his initial £88.5m move from Borussia Dortmund, one quote stood out more than any other.

"It was a bit of a surprise when my dad sat me down and said: 'You've had a bit of interest from Real Madrid'," said the 20-year-old midfielder.

"I had goosebumps, my heart was close to stopping. It's something you don't expect growing up - being able to play for a team like this."

Bellingham has joined talented young players Eduardo Camavinga, Vinicius Junior and Aurelien Tchouameni in helping propel the club into the next generation. France striker Kylian Mbappe, widely regarded as the world's best player right now, is expected to join them next year.

Real Madrid are no longer the biggest player in the transfer market, but why do they remain such a force?

"Madrid know how glamorous the club is and they are able to use that, but I've seen it with Barcelona as well," Dermot Corrigan, Spanish football journalist for The Athletic, tells BBC Sport.

"It has always been the case that foreign players, if they could choose where they wanted to go, the big two in Spain have been a step above in terms of stature and the self esteem of the players themselves, the very elite.

"A decade ago when El Clasico [Real Madrid against Barcelona] was [Lionel] Messi v [Cristiano] Ronaldo, Pep [Guardiola] v [Jose] Mourinho, it was kind of like the world select. The World XI would come out and it would be like a Madrid/Barca combined team.

ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/480/cpsprodpb/17446/production/_130820359_gettyimages-1612358867.jpg


It is hard to say 'no' to Real Madrid
Bellingham scored on his debut for the club in a 2-0 win at Athletic Bilbao last week, so his start to life in Madrid could not have been better.

But what of the future? Mbappe is earmarked, and Corrigan says the club believes no rival is safe when their interest is piqued.

"There's not many people who turn down Real Madrid," he concludes. "Did Erling Haaland? That depends on whether you talk to people around Manchester or Madrid.

"In Madrid there is a feeling that if they pushed out the boat they'd have got him, but they are saving money for Mbappe, who is Florentino's number one target.

"They didn't push as hard as they might for Haaland and they might get him in the future.

"When Madrid come calling, it is very difficult for clubs to keep their players."

England midfielder Jude Bellingham scored an 81st-minute winner to help Real Madrid win at Celta Vigo and maintain their 100% start in La Liga..

ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/71A9/production/_130879092_gettyimages-1638763065.jpg
Bellingham joined Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund for £88.5m this summer

Jude Bellingham headed in Joselu's flick-on to register his 4th league goal in just his 3rd appearance.

Celta might have had an early lead but the video assistant referee (VAR) ruled out Jorgen Strand Larsen's strike.

Their keeper Ivan Villar then saved Rodrygo's second-half penalty having brought the forward down in the area.

Madrid were far from their best in a frantic match & were fortunate Larsen was adjudged to have fouled visiting keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

In the closing stages though they upped the pressure, with former Borussia Dortmund star Bellingham's header into the far corner.

The one blot for the visitors was an injury for forward Vinicius Junior, who limped off with what appeared to be a hamstring strain in the 18th minute.

ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/240/cpsprodpb/10DE9/production/_130879096_gettyimages-1638773661.jpg

Jude Bellingham starring in early Real Madrid career with five goals in four games..By Andy West, Spanish football writer.

ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/103D5/production/_130971566_gettyimages-1655071465.jpg
Bellingham scored his fifth goal of the season to secure victory over Getafe

Saturday was a special day for Real Madrid, as the Spanish giants reopened their Bernabeu home following a £500m refurbishment that began back in 2019.

Club president Florentino Perez had promised to create the greatest stadium in the world. It is now a spectacular space-age arena, complete with a retractable roof, which remained closed for Saturday's curtain-raising visit of Getafe amid autumnal storms.

But if Real fans had started the day ready to enjoy their sparkling revamped home, they also came to salute their new hero: Jude Bellingham.

When the season started three weeks ago, the Englishman became an instant hit by scoring on his debut at Athletic Bilbao, added two more in a victory at Almeria, and then netted a late winner at Celta Vigo to secure three straight away wins.

Bellingham has settled quickly. Real fans have been impressed by the 20-year-old's attitude and maturity, as well as by his form.

After the opening day win in Bilbao, manager Carlo Ancelotti said: "He has a lot of personality and has adapted very quickly. It already seems like he's been with us for a long time."

Two more signs of that fast integration have followed - one off the pitch, one on it. Last week, Bellingham took advantage of a couple of days off by enjoying a mini-holiday in the south of France with his new team-mates Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.

ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/240/cpsprodpb/B5B5/production/_130971564_gettyimages-1655072121.jpg

Then Bellingham was named La Liga's player of the month for August, setting the stage for his home debut at the Bernabeu's grand reopening.

Speaking after the game, Bellingham told Real Madrid TV: "It's the loudest moment I've heard in a stadium. Happily it was for my goal.

"When they were singing 'Hey Jude' at the end, I got goosebumps.

"I just wanted to stand still and listen to them. My legs were shaking.

"I know I was brought in for these kind of moments, they're the kind of moments I know I can deliver for this team."

Bellingham is the third player in Real Madrid history to score in each of his first four games for the club - following Pepillo in 1960 and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009 - and he will be under pressure to maintain his prolific habits as the season unfolds.

Expecting him to maintain Ronaldo-like levels of scoring is not realistic, but he will surely exceed his current career-high tally of 14 goals, achieved last season with Borussia Dortmund.

And the opening weeks of the season have suggested that, with his combination of talent, attitude and goals, Jude Bellingham is already arguably Real Madrid's most important player... and their most popular.

90+4 mins - GOAL - Real Madrid 1-0 Union Berlin- Jude Bellingham

Jude Bellingham has surely won it in the fourth minute of injury time.

Union Berlin fall asleep from a short corner, Federico Valverde has time and space to shoot from the edge of the penalty area. It takes a couple of deflections and falls perfectly for Jude Bellingham who buries from two yards out.

That's six goals in six games for the England midfielder.

ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2023/9/20/1e8d25e6-ff45-4dec-ae6c-68f4f121acf9.jpg

Napoli 2 Real Madrid 3

ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/1B6E/production/_131322070_gettyimages-1704945925.jpg
Jude Bellingham has scored in both appearances in the Champions League this season


Jude Bellingham further enhanced his status as Real Madrid's star player, scoring and assisting as they beat Italian champions Napoli at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in the Champions League.

The England midfielder carried the ball from 40 yards out, charged deep into Napoli's defensive third and then proceeded to weave his way through their backline before curling a shot cutely into the bottom right corner to give his side a 2-1 lead at half-time.

It was another enthralling chapter in the ever-exciting career of Bellingham as the former Birmingham City midfielder continues to show he is one of the world's best players.

He has shown an ability to score a wide variety of goals since joining Real in the summer but Tuesday's will rank among the best he has scored in his career, gliding through Napoli's backline and showing composure to apply the finishing touch.

ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/240/cpsprodpb/15006/production/_131322068_gettyimages-1704944216.jpg

Real Madrid 4 Osasuna 0

ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/A27B/production/_131359514_gettyimages-1722510109.jpg
Bellingham joined Real in the summer from Borussia Dortmund for 103m euros (£88.5m)

Jude Bellingham continued his brilliant start to his Real Madrid career by scoring twice in a comfortable home victory over Osasuna.

The 20-year-old has 10 goals in his first 10 matches in all competitions for the Spanish giants.

Bellingham opened the scoring in the ninth minute, before doubling his side's lead in the second half.

Vinicius Junior and Joselu also scored in the hosts' 4-0 win, with the latter missing an 84th-minute penalty.

Bellingham has had a superb start for the Spanish giants, having found the net in all but three of his 12 matches for club and country this season.

His first strike against Osasuna completed a brilliant team goal as he drove the ball into the roof of the net after good work from Dani Carvajal and Luka Modric.

He added his second in the 54th minute with a shot between the legs of onrushing goalkeeper Sergio Herrera after a fine one-two with Federico Valverde.

The ex-Birmingham City and Borussia Dortmund midfielder left the pitch to a standing ovation when he was substituted in the 72nd minute.