Perfect start for Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid

In July 1979, 44 years before Bellingham’s presentation, forward Larry Cunningham became the first Englishman to represent Real Madrid, signing from West Bromwich for £1 million, making him the second most expensive player behind Kevin Keegan.

When Cunningham faced arch-rivals Barcelona away from home for the first time, he was so dominant, terrorizing Barça’s defense with his pace, technique and courage, that the Camp Nou crowd gave Cunningham a standing ovation – he is still single. Madrid players must enjoy.

On Saturday afternoon, Jude Bellingham makes his first El Clasico.

Although the match will be played at Estadi Olímpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona’s temporary home in Montjuic, with the Camp Nou being renovated, Bellingham will hope to follow in Cunningham’s footsteps and lead Los Blancos to victory at their Catalan rivals.

– He is incredible. He was born to play for Real Madrid to create the era of the world’s greatest football club. “I’m very happy to play with Judd and I hope we both continue to play here for many more years,” teammate Vinicius Jr. said recently.

After Cunningham, England’s Steve McManaman, David Beckham, Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate had mixed success and all felt the pressure that comes with wearing the classic white shirt. However, Bellingham doesn’t seem to be feeling any pressure and despite his young age, the 20-year-old, who left his teenage years last summer, has started his career at Real Madrid.

Bellingham tops La Liga’s scoring league and is already credited with eleven goals and three assists in a Real Madrid shirt.

– I love my football now. “Over the last few months I’ve been working hard on my time in the penalty area, attacking at the right time and with a lot of hunger,” Bellingham told Channel 4 the other week.

Compared to Michael Jordan – and Albert Einstein

Marka recently devoted an entire article to Bellingham’s tongue, concluding that Bellingham is a genius because, like Michael Jordan, Albert Einstein, and the Rolling Stones logo, he runs with his tongue out.

Jude Bellingham grew up in Stourbridge, south-west of Birmingham, once the heart of Britain’s Industrial Revolution, and attended Birmingham City Academy as a seven-year-old boy. At 16 years and 38 days, he made his senior team debut under former Halmstad BK coach Pep Claudet.

After that, things happened fast. soon.

Despite signing for Borussia Dortmund at the age of 17, Birmingham City chose to retire Bellingham’s shirt 22. At 17, he was an England international and has since cemented his place as a central figure in Gareth Southgate’s national team. No one raised an eyebrow this summer when Real Madrid paid 1.2 billion kroner for the versatile midfielder who is being chased by all of Europe’s top clubs.

– With such a big transfer fee, whether it’s a goal, an assist or an attempt to decide the match, the truth I have to offer, says Bellingham, who is fully enjoying life in Spain. The beginning of his love affair with Real Madrid:

– This is the club I want to be at for the next 10, 15 years of my career. I love life here, says Bellingham.