There is a teenager who is currently making waves in the world of football. A rapid rise from Championship football and the Bundesliga to becoming a Champions League goalscorer. The rise and rise of Jude Bellingham.
The Remarkable Progress of Jude Bellingham
Bellingham’s Beginnings
The story of the superstar teen starts in Birmingham City. He would start his footballing career with their U8 side and quickly rose through the ranks. In August 2019, and at just 16-years and 38 days of age, Bellingham became the club’s youngest footballer. This beat the record of club legend Trevor Francis by 101 days, set in 1970.
After that, he would go on to be a first-team regular, racking up 44 appearances with four goals to his name. It was an exponential rise for the youngster, who took to professional water like a duck to water. He was progressing so fast that his qualities regularly attracted scouts from European clubs to St. Andrew’s.
Borussia Dortmund Snap Up Football’s Hot Property in Jude Bellingham
Several Premier League clubs were interested in Bellingham, yet it was the Bundesliga who came calling. Borussia Dortmund would attract the youngster with a greater chance of regular first-team football and fast-track him to fully shine. Their experience of following a well-trodden path of successfully cultivating youngsters such as Erling Braut Haaland and Jadon Sancho clinched the deal. Similarly, Bellingham has not looked back.
A Star is Born
Although Borussia Dortmund recently lost out to Manchester City in the Champions League, it was a tie where a star was truly born. At just 17-years of age, Jude Bellingham came of age and is showing what a star player he is. His wonderfully taken goal of accuracy and composure spoke volumes of a player who belies his years. With that, he became Dortmund’s youngest ever goalscorer, beating Nuri Sahin’s record by five days.
He is a regular in the Dortmund team and currently has 40 appearances and three goals. His vision, tenacity, athleticism, work rate and sheer ability to read the game has firmly put him on the map.
However, Dortmund not only have to keep an eye on their prized asset of Haaland. Similarly, they are looking out for the England international too, who surely has earned his place in this summer’s European Championship.
England Engaged with Jude Bellingham
His lightning-quick journey to the top of world football has lead to the ultimate fulfilment of a footballer – an international call up. The midfielder has featured in every international category from the U15’s right through to the U21 setup. There, he would break yet another record by becoming the youngest ever player to play for the young lions. He would appear against Kosovo in September 2020.
It got even better when the substitute scored to become England U21’s youngest-ever scorer. He harassed the opposition backline before claiming the ball and whipping a beautiful curling shot into the net. It was the sixth of England’s six-goal demolition. But all the talk post-match was not just the fine hat-trick of Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah, but one Jude Bellingham.
His dream reward for his performances arrived just two months after. Last November, Gareth Southgate selected him for the England national side. He made his England bow against the Republic of Ireland, playing the final 20 minutes of a 3-0 victory. Meanwhile, his debut made him the third-youngest player to pull on the three lions shirt. This brought him into an illustrious company with only Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney featuring internationally at a younger age.
Birmingham’s Recognition of Bellingham
In a unique recognition, Birmingham City retired his number 22 shirt in honour of his achievements. It is a move normally associated with players retiring from competition. But Birmingham decided to mark their former international fittingly.
Above all, the 17-year-old is a history maker and a record-breaker who has the world at his feet. And his feet are entertaining the footballing fraternity.
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