Jude Bellingham, a midfielder hoping to cap off an incredible season on the highest of highs, is determined to assist Real Madrid and England become the kings of the continent.
Since moving to Spain last summer from Germany, where he won LaLiga and was named the league’s best player, the 20-year-old has thrived.
Bellingham now wants to win the Champions League final on Saturday at Wembley in order to cap off an incredible first season with Real Madrid by defeating previous team Borussia Dortmund.
This weekend, all eyes will be on Bellingham, particularly since England’s pursuit of continental success at Euro 2024 follows the height of European club football.
“Achieving trophies has always been the benchmark for me,” Bellingham stated.
“Scoring goals and playing well for the team and the nation.” Since the first day, I have always had the intention of winning.
“I see the impact I can have, so off the pitch, inspiring the future of the game and being a role model is something that is becoming more important to me.”
Speaking in his capacity as an ambassador for McDonald’s Fun Football, the biggest grassroots engagement project for kids aged 5 to 11 in the UK, Bellingham expressed his desire to both win trophies and support the next generation.
Major competitions such as the Euros this summer, he believes, offer the ideal setting for young people to develop a passion for football, which is why it is even more crucial for England to win in Germany.
Bellingham, who grew up idolising Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, added, “I think they’re huge.”
The problem about growing up is that everyone has memories of a particular game or tournament—probably the major ones, the ones that inspired them to play football or fall in love with the sport.
“Whether we like it or not, that’s the responsibility that I and the other England players have today.
And I believe that’s the reason it’s critical that, both as a nation and as a squad, we represent ourselves well on the international scene and inspire pride in being English and in wanting to play football in this nation.