Bellingham’s spectacular interview in L’Equipe, where he shows his enormous maturity by talking about all topics from his past, his present and his future.
Jude Bellingham gave an interview to “L’Équipe” a few hours after winning the Kopa Trophy for best young player last season. The England international discussed his career, from his start in Birmingham to his arrival at Real Madrid, and gave details of what it was like meeting his new teammates at the Bernabéu.
The importance of their parents. “The relationship with mom and dad is close and gives me balance. My parents gave me different things. They had jobs all their lives before they started managing my career. Then I saw how they handled situations, especially since I turned professional. They do it so well, with no real experience, and I always wonder how they do it. I admire how they can adapt to any environment and be the best.”
The peace of mind of being accompanied by your family. “Yes, that is crucial. Many deal with agents who are more interested in money than the player’s interests. I never thought about it because I always talked about it with my parents. They care about my well-being and know that our dreams are aligned. When you get agents involved, there are their own incentives, their desire to make money… For me, it’s never about that. I just want to keep the family atmosphere. Moreover, it leads to fun conversations at the table. It could be anything from a discussion about a film or something that happened, ‘Real Madrid are interested by the way’”.
The world of football. “I have seen people very close to me go in the wrong direction. If you love football just for the sake of it, you will always be rewarded. “If you play for attention and fame, in my opinion that is not the right way.”
His father, a goalscorer. “Yes, he never let me forget it, the truth is he talks about it a lot. Even when I score, he always says, ‘Yes, but I would have scored three or four more.’”
Childhood dream. “Playing for England. I’ve always had it. […] If someone had told me at the time that I would spend three years in Germany and then go to Spain without ever playing in the Premier League, I would have been shocked.”
Start in his father’s training. “At first I didn’t like football. I know it’s unbelievable because if someone were to take football away from me right now, I would go crazy. I went to their sessions and picked grass and flowers. I always made a small bouquet of daisies for my mother. My parents never pressured me. My father kept taking me along, but he almost said to me: if you want to play hide and seek or pick flowers, you can. And then I was hooked… You talked about freedom, and that was something I had as a child. My parents never forced me to do anything, as long as I was a good boy and took care of others.”
How he starts to like football. “It’s because of the competition. I have always been very competitive. Even in the shelter. […] Growing up, I had a lot of problems, especially when I lost. For everyone else it was a nightmare. I didn’t want to shake hands with people. I learned that you have to show respect… It was without a doubt the competition that made me love the game 100%.”
Their idols. “I admired the players from Birmingham, the team that won the League Cup at Wembley (2-1 against Arsenal in 2011). My heroes were Seb Larsson, Craig Gardner and Lee Bowyer. As I got more into it, Dad was the most important thing. Later my first models were Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, simply because they played in England. And when you grow up, you’ll watch football. My father had a fake Zidane shirt that he bought on the beach. He took her everywhere, often at home. One day I asked him, “Who is that guy, anyway?” He replied, “Go to YouTube and watch it.” I probably haven’t stopped since. Zidane was the player I wanted to be. I was lucky enough to meet him during the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool (1-0, in 2022). I was like a child, with big eyes. It’s so humbling for someone who has achieved so much. He exuded a great presence. And according to the guys who played with him here, he was a great coach. That is just as important.”
Zidane and number 5. “It is of course a kind of tribute. But at the same time I’m following my own path and it’s almost like I’m following and shaping it my way, making this song what I want it to be: Madrid’s modern number 5.”
Birmingham retirement number 22. ‘They told me, ‘No one will take her until you get back to Birmingham’. I was like (surprised face) ‘Really?’ I had a good year (2019-2020), but it was nothing special. I looked around. “But wait, are we allowed to do that?” But I understand the position and the decision. “My transfer saved the club, which was in a difficult situation.”
Maturity inappropriate for its age. “I’ve heard it a lot, because of the way I behave on the field and how well I respond to situations. The problem is that people put you on a pedestal. And then I make little mistakes, I’m human, I go crazy and people almost say: ‘oh look, he’s not that mature yet.’ The truth is, I have it in me. I am not a robot”.
First time in the Madrid dressing room. “I was a bit stressed. I’ve never been a star. But when you get here, with the things they’ve achieved, it’s hard not to think, ‘Wow, this is the pinnacle of football.’ The first few weeks when I got to know them, I was eating next to Toni (Kroos) and he asked me: ‘Does he eat gold?’ And then you realize that they are normal guys who help you feel good. They are very modest. It’s a great lesson for me. “No matter how successful you are, no matter what you’ve won, you can still be a great person like these guys, who are inspiring as players and as men.”
First match with the Madrid shirt. “I can not describe it. It’s a dream come true. The shirt is so famous. When you put it on, you almost feel like you’re wearing a superhero suit. It’s a privilege, an honor. You have to be at a certain level to be able to keep it up week after week.”
Feel unique. “Sometimes I feel a bit unique, yes. A little bit because of my age and things like that. People like to remind me of that, how young I am and that sometimes you have to take it easy. Sometimes you sit there for a moment and think, “I’m doing pretty well.” But if you look at football day by day, with the approach of ‘I’m going to have to improve today’, you focus more on the negative aspects that need to be improved. “That’s how I was raised.”
Adaptability. “You have to jump in at once. You can’t put your finger in and out to see. You have to go on the adventure. Sometimes that is difficult, but you have to be involved. And then you have to keep a cool head, I can’t get carried away, I have to move forward, whether they say good or bad things about me.”
Position on racism. “It’s something very strong in me, something that people my age might want to avoid because they can be controversial topics. If I were to look at what I’ve received on my phone in the last twenty-four hours, I know I would come across racist messages. Now I have thick skin, but I have become aware of how this can affect others.
What it will look like in five years. “I hope to win five Champions Leagues, a European Championship and maybe a World Cup. I am always as optimistic as possible. I don’t see the point in thinking we’re going to lose. You have to enter all the competitions every year and think you can win them. If not, what’s the point?”
Source: Goal