Jude Bellingham Joins Real Madrid: The 19-Year-Old’s Proudest Day
Introduction
On 15 June 2023, 19-year-old Jude Bellingham joined Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund for an initial 103m euros (£88.5m). The fee could reach 133.9m euros (£115m) with add-ons. Bellingham said it was the “proudest day of my life” in joining “the greatest football club in the history of the game”.
Bellingham’s Move to Dortmund
Bellingham had been linked with Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United before choosing to move to Real Madrid. Dortmund made Bellingham the most expensive 17-year-old in football when they signed him from Birmingham City for £25m in 2020 and he enhanced his reputation with his performances for the German club. He became Dortmund’s youngest captain at 19 and was named the Bundesliga’s player of the season for the last campaign.
Bellingham’s Reaction to Real Madrid’s Interest
Bellingham said he had “goosebumps” and his “heart was close to stopping” when he was told Real Madrid wanted to sign him. He said: “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.’ I think that was maybe about 12-15 months ago. When he said that 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’s Decision to Join Real Madrid
Bellingham said: “I’d always been aware of the interest from England so that was pretty normal. I’ve not just come here because of the size of the club. Obviously, it is huge but when the guys pitched the vision of the team, I was completely involved and all in. It’s not just ‘we’re Real Madrid, we want you to come and join for us’. That is enough for me, to be honest, but then the ideas they had were so good, it’s just so exciting and an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”
Bellingham’s Presentation
His presentation began with a showreel of some of his best moments at Birmingham and Borussia Dortmund as well as with the England national team. Bellingham watched on with his parents and brother before a speech by Real president Florentino Perez, who called it an “exciting” day for the La Liga club as “one of the best players in the world” had joined them.
Pressure of the Fee
Real Madrid have also made him their second-most expensive signing, after Eden Hazard’s 115m euro move from Chelsea in 2019, and he is the third-most expensive teenager in history. Bellingham said: “It’s not something I’m concerned about. I’m never really interested in knowing what it [the fee] is exactly. For me, it doesn’t matter how much I have come here for – the objective is the same, to win trophies and help Real Madrid continue to be the biggest team in the world.”
Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe Rumours
Real Madrid are believed to want Tottenham striker Harry Kane, Bellingham’s England colleague, as they look to replace Karim Benzema, who has agreed to join Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad. France striker Kylian Mbappe has also been linked with Real after he said he would not extend his deal with Paris St-Germain beyond the summer of 2024. Bellingham said: “They are both unbelievable players and the best in the world at their positions.”
The Number 5 Shirt
Bellingham will wear the number five at his new club, with the shirt number having previously been adorned by France and Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane. Bellingham said: “I have said in many interviews how much I admire Zinedene Zidane. The legacy within the club and this number. I am not trying to be the same as him, I am just trying to be Jude, but it is definitely a bit of a homage to how great he was.”
Conclusion
Jude Bellingham has joined Real Madrid in what he called “the proudest day of my life”. He said he was sold on joining the Spanish giants after meeting with them and hearing their vision for the future. He is not concerned about the fee and is looking forward to helping Real Madrid reach their goal of winning trophies every year. He is also looking forward to potentially playing alongside Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe in the future.