Top 10 Amazing Facts about Football Star Jude Bellingham

Jude Bellingham in action against FC Zenit St. Petersburg by Vyacheslav Evdokimov – Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Football Star Jude Bellingham

Borussia Dortmund’s ability to identify, nature, and integrate younger players is arguably unrivaled. One of the most recent in the long list of such players is England’s rising star, Jude Bellingham.

Jude Bellingham is an English footballer currently (2022) playing for the German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund. Born on 29th June 2003 Jude Victor William Bellingham is what is commonly referred to as a generational talent in the sporting world.

He has become a regular starter not only for his club in Germany but also for the national team. Despite being in one of Europe’s giants, Bellingham is one of the most sought-after midfielders. Many European teams especially from his home country want to sign Bellingham into their squads.

Considering Borussia’s dealings in the past, it’s only a matter of time before they cash in on the prolific midfielder.  His young age is only proof that Bellingham’s ceiling is a lot higher than most players.

This article will dive into some amazing facts about the English prospect, Jude Bellingham.

1. Born in Stourbridge in 2003

Bellingham was born in the market town of Stourbridge, England to Denise and Mark Bellingham. Denise, his mother, bears the dominant gene in their family as Bellingham is an image of his mother.

Jude’s father Mark is a West Midlands police sergeant who was a prolific goal scorer in non-league football. On the other hand, his mother Denise is a working-class Englishwoman.

2. Begun His Football Journey At 6 years of Age

Bellingham’s footballing journey started at Stourbridge football club. However, he and his family were fans of Birmingham City FC or the Blues as they are known.

At the time Jude attended Priory School in Edgbaston, Birmingham. His father encouraged him to join Birmingham City’s under-8 team while at the school and he obliged. What a great decision that was!

Similar to Daniel Sturridge, who is also from West Midlands, Bellingham received training from his father regularly. He rose through the ranks at Birmingham quickly impressing at every level and surpassing his peers.

3. Played for Birmingham’s U-23 at Age 15

Jude Bellingham warms up before Birmingham City’s EFL Championship match against Brentford at Griffin Park on 3 August 2019 by Struway2 – Wikimedia Commons

Jude Bellingham is a hard worker but this has only served as a complement to his immense talent. His coaches, parents, opponents, and teammates are all testament to this talent. He eased through Birmingham’s development squads with ease.

By age 14 he had already been promoted to the U-18 squad having outmatched and eclipsed his peers significantly. At age 15, Jude Bellingham was promoted to Birmingham’s top youth squad, the U-23.

He made his debut for the U-23 in October 2018 against Nottingham Forest’s U23s away from home. Jude scored the lone and winning goal of the match. He followed the debut with a string of great and impressive performances.

So much so that he was featured in FourFourTwo’s list of the “50 most exciting teenagers in English football”. At this point, he was garnering the attention of top clubs not only in England but all of Europe.

4. Birmingham’s Youngest Ever First Team Player

Bellingham impressing for the Birmingham youth squad was gradually and carefully integrated into the first team. His training sessions with the first team were increased, and he accompanied them during match days to observe.

In July 2019, he traveled to Portugal with Birmingham’s first team to a training camp before the 2019/20 season. He played in several friendlies before the season began and was given the squad number 22 for the season.

On 6th August 2019, he started against Portsmouth in the EFL Cup first round. This appearance made him Birmingham’s youngest-ever first-team player at 16 years and 38 days. He broke the record set by Trevor Francis in 1970 by 101 days.

5. Impressive Season at Birmingham breaking multiple records

The 2019/20 season was Bellingham’s breakout season and he impressed many for a teenager despite playing in the lower leagues. At 16 years and 63 days, Bellingham scored (via a deflection) the winning goal against Stoke in a game that ended 2-1. This goal cemented him as Birmingham’s youngest-ever goal scorer.

In November 2019, he was named player of the month in the EFL. He started as a Left-winger, but the coaches gradually moved him to his more natural midfield position as his confidence grew.

Jude ended the season with 4 goals from 44 appearances in all competitions, 41 in the league. He was voted Championship Apprentice of the Year and EFL Young Player of the Season at the EFL Awards.

6. A Host of Top Clubs Wanted Him

Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund’s stadium by Arne Müseler – Wikipedia

During the 2020 transfer winder, Jude Bellingham was the belle of the ball so to speak. Many top European clubs approached him and Birmingham hoping to get his signature. These clubs include; Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund to name a few.

However, Bellingham decline many suitors and opted to go to Borussia Dortmund after having positive talks with the club. Dortmund has a renowned reputation for developing young players and this was one of the many determining factors.

Some recent top players developed at Dortmund include Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembele, and fellow Englishman Jadon Sancho. On 20th July 2020, Bellingham’s move to Dortmund was confirmed for an undisclosed fee. However, reports claim the fee was around £25 million plus several million from performance-based criteria.

7. His Number 22 Shirt Was Retired at Birmingham City FC

During the 2019/20 season, Jude Bellingham donned the number 22 shirt. Following his much-anticipated move to Borussia Dortmund, the club decided to retire the shirt.

Retiring a player’s shirt is reserved for a club’s legendary and influential player. After retiring a shirt, no player is permitted to use the number at the club in the future.

Birmingham chose to retire Bellingham’s number 22 to Honor and recognize Jude as one of their own as well as motivate younger and future players.

8. Runner-Up for the 2021 Kopa Trophy

2022 Kopa trophy winner Gavi by TheSoccerBoy – Wikipedia

The Kopa Trophy is an association football trophy presented to best-performing players below 21 years of age. Named after former French footballer Raymond Kopa, the award was created in 2018 and is open to players outside Europe.

The three winners so far have been Kylian Mbappe (2018), Matthijs De Ligt (2019), and Pedri (2021). In 2021, Jude Bellingham came second to Barcelona’s Spanish wunderkind Pedri.

Not bad company to have and be mentioned alongside. In 2022, he finished 4th in the Kopa trophy rankings after Gavi, Camavinga, and Jamal Musiala respectively.

9. Youngest Englishman to Grace The UCL

On October 20th, 2020, Jude Bellingham faced Lazio in a Champions League group stage match. At the time, he was just 17 years and 113 days old and became the youngest Englishman to start a Champions League match. He broke a record that was held by Manchester City’s Phil Foden.

10. Similar Playing Style to Stevie G!

Gerrard playing for Liverpool in the Premier League in 2007 by Nigel Wilson – Wikipedia

If you’ve heard any football fanatics arguing who the ‘GOAT’ of premier league midfielders is, then you’ve heard the name, Steven Gerrard. Steven Gerard currently Aston Villa’s manager was an English football player at Liverpool FC. He is regarded as one of his generation’s greatest players.

Despite being young, Bellingham has received comparisons to Stevie from many. He can get up and down the pitch, he can score and assist goals, and he’s got trickery. All characteristics of the English Legend Stevie G.