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England have been fortunate enough to produce some of the world’s greatest ever players throughout different generations of football, but Jude Bellingham may be in a league of his own already.
Despite being just 20 years of age, Bellingham has already reached the pinnacle of world football in leading Real Madrid to the Champions League final.
There was some disappointment among English football fans that Bellingham opted against a move to the Premier League last summer.
A select few even doubted whether a move to Real Madrid was right for the midfielder’s development.
Jude Bellingham is on the verge of even more history
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But nobody could have foreseen just how much of an impact Bellingham would have in his first few weeks at the Bernabeau.
Winning over the often partisan Real crowd is no mean feat – as Gareth Bale found out during his time there.
However, Bellingham endeared himself to Real’s supporters and football fans all over the world with his knack for late winners.
He singlehandedly helped Real win both Clasico games against Barcelona with stoppage-time winners.
The individual accolades didn’t take long to follow his first few months with Real as he was named Golden Boy for 2023 as well as winning the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award.
Carlo Ancelotti credited Bellingham, who turned 20 years of age shortly after his move to Real last summer, as the man who was “making the difference” for Real.
His displays at the heart of Real’s midfield unit ultimately led them to the La Liga title with only Artem Dovbyk and Alexander Sorloth finishing ahead of Bellingham in the goalscoring chart after finished the year with 19 goals.
The Stourbridge-born player scooped up the post-season awards too as he was named La Liga Player of the Season.
Now there’s a chance for Bellingham to lead Real to their 15th Champions League title, which would catapult him to iconic status among English footballers.
Owen Hargeaves and Steve McManaman are the only other two English footballers to have won the Champions League with a foreign club.
Jude Bellingham will be key to England’s hopes at the Euros
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The former did so with Bayern Munich at the age of 20 – something Bellingham can also achieve with Real.
But it’s what comes after the Champions League final that could truly cement Bellingham’s place in history.
Gareth Southgate will be desperate for Bellingham to be fully fit for the 2024 Euros with their campaign getting underway in just two weeks.
The former Borussia Dortmund star has played a lot of football this year and there are some concerns of burnout for the young starlet.
The 20-year-old is mature beyond his years
PA
But Bellingham doesn’t appear concerned about the amount of football he’s played as he’s solely focused on holding aloft silverware.
“For me the benchmark has always been winning trophies,” Bellingham said.
“Playing well and scoring goals for club and country. I want to win and that has always been my mindset from the very first day.
“Off the pitch inspiring the future of the game and being a role model is something that is becoming more important to me – I see the impact I can have.”
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Jude Bellingham has a huge six weeks coming up
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Bellingham will be crucial to England’s hopes this summer as he’s grown into a key piece of Southgate’s squad.
The Three Lions head into the Euros among the favourites given their recent performances at major tournaments.
There will always be that question on whether England can get over the line with 1966 still hanging over the current crop of players.
But Bellingham has shown that he thrives under the pressure despite his youthful age and he is more than capable of taking England all the way in Germany this summer.
Bobby Moore and Bobby Charlton are regarded as England’s greatest-ever players for leading England to the 1966 World Cup.
However, Bellingham would surpass all of that if he becomes the third English player to win the Champions League with a foreign club and leads his country to the European Championship trophy this summer.
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