At 19 years of age, Jude Bellingham has already reached the grandest of stages in club and international football. He signed with Real Madrid in 2023 and has been a regular for England in recent Euro and World Cup-related matches.
Bellingham #5 Real Madrid
In June 2023, Real Madrid completed the signing of the Jude Bellingham, who now joins the likes of David Beckham and Gareth Bale in the list of high-profile British players that took their talents to the Galacticos of La Liga. Bellingham opens his Real Madrid career wearing the number 5 shirt as a tribute to Zinedine Zidane.
Bellingham England Kit
Already playing at the highest level even before reaching his 20th birthday, Bellingham is certain to be a regular in England’s starting XI, barring a significant drop of form or a career-threatening injury. He became the youngest Englishman, aged 17 years and 349 days, to play at any major tournament when he appeared as an 82nd-minute substitute in England’s Euro 2020 opening match against Croatia. His stellar display throughout the 2022 World Cup suggested England has an anchor in the midfield for years to come. He mostly had 22 as his national number, though at times also wore the number 10. He had 8 during his first few call-ups to England.
Jude Bellingham’s Borussia Dortmund Kits
Bellingham stayed with the 2022 when he moved to Borussia Dortmund in 2020. He spent the first few years of his stay in Dortmund with the likes of Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho. Before his departure to Real Madrid, the young midfielder almost lead the Blacks and Yellows to Bundesliga glory. Unfortunately, Borussia drew their final game against Mainz 05, allowing Bayern Munich to level on points and capture the 2022/23 title via goal difference (Bayern won 2-1 against Koln, scoring the winner in the 89th minute).
Bellingham Birmingham Shirt
Bellingham started his career with Birmingham, joining the club as an under-8 before becoming the club’s youngest ever senior player when he made his debut in August 2019, aged of 16 years, 38 days. The 2019/20 season represented the star’s sole first-team season with Birmingham, yet his impact to the club was so immense that they decided to retire the number 22 in honour of his name. Many clubs fought for his signature at the end of season, with Borussia Dortmund eventually winning the race and providing him the developmental football he needed to continue upping his game.
Why 22?
The explanation for Jude Bellingham’s choice to wear the number 22 is down to his versatility. Given his skillset, he is able to perform the roles of the number 8, 4 and 10. The sum of all those numbers is 22! It’s a numerical equivalent of saying he can perform any midfield position.