Bellingham discusses “idol” Zidane and likens Real Madrid jersey to superhero costume after Kopa Trophy win

It’s no exaggeration to say Jude Bellingham has wowed us all since joining Real Madrid. Not even the most seasoned of players could have expected to perform in the manner he has done since joining Los Blancos, with his most recent heroics seeing him score twice in Saturday’s Clásico victory over Barcelona.

After winning the Kopa Trophy, given to the best young player in the world under the age of 21, at Monday’s Ballon d’Or gala, the Englishman sat down with French newspaper L’Équipe for a lengthy interview, discussing, among other things his beginnings in soccer, his idols growing up (spoiler alert, Zinedine Zidane included) and just what it means to pull on the famous white jersey.

Bellingham family’s impact on Jude’s career

Parents’ influence: “I have a close relationship with my mom and dad, which gives me balance. I got different things from my parents. They had jobs all their lives before managing my career. Then I saw how they handled situations, especially after I became a professional. They do such a good job, without having any real experience, and I always wonder how they do it. I admire them for how they can find themselves in any situation and be the best in it.”

Family acting as agents: “Yes, it’s crucial for me. Many players deal with agents who are more interested in money than their clients’ best interests. I’ve never considered it because I’ve always had my parents to talk to about it. They care about my well-being and know that our dreams are aligned. When agents are involved, they have their own incentives, their desire to make money... For me, it’s never about that. I just want to keep it about my family. Plus, it leads to great conversations at the dinner table. We can talk about anything from movies or something that happened to ‘by the way, Real Madrid is interested.’”

The world of soccer: “I’ve seen people who were very close to me go off on the wrong path. If you love soccer just as a sport, you’ll always be rewarded. If you play for attention and fame, that’s not the right way to do it, in my opinion.”

Dad Mark’s goalscoring heroics: “Yes, he never lets me forget it, to be honest, he talks about it a lot. Even when I score, he always says, ‘Yes, but I would have scored three or four more.’”

England midfielder “didn’t like soccer at first”

Childhood dream: “Playing for England. That’s always been it. [...] If somebody had told me when I was younger I would spend three years in Germany and then go to Spain without ever having played in the Premier League, I would have been shocked.”

Training with his father as a child: “At first, I didn’t like soccer. I know it sounds incredible because if someone took soccer away from me now, I would go crazy. I used to go to his sessions and pick the grass and flowers. I used to make a little bouquet of daisies for my mother. My parents never pressured me. My father kept taking me, but he would say ‘if you want to play hide-and-seek or pick flowers, you can do that.’ And then I got hooked... You mentioned freedom, and that’s something I had as a child. My parents never forced me to do anything as long as I was a good kid and took care of others.”

The soccer bug: “It comes from competition. I’ve always been very competitive. Even playing hide-and-seek. [...] Growing up, I had a lot of issues, especially when I lost. I was a nightmare for others. I didn’t want to shake hands with people. I learned that you have to show respect... It was undoubtedly competition that made me love the game 100%.”

Madrid legend Zidane “so humble and a great coach”

Idols: “I idolised Birmingham City players, 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 soccer, my dad became the most important person. Then, my early role models were Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, simply because they played in England. And then, as you grow up, you start to watch soccer. My father had a fake Zidane jersey that he bought on the beach. He wore it everywhere, often at home. One day I asked him, ‘By the way, who is that guy?’ He replied, ‘Go on YouTube and take a look.’ Since then, I probably haven’t stopped. Zidane was the player I wanted to be. I was lucky to meet him at the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool (1-0 in 2022). I was like a child, with my eyes wide open. He is so humble for someone who has achieved so much. He has such incredible presence. And, according to the guys who played here with him, he was a great coach. That’s equally important.”

Zidane and the number 5 jersey: “It’s a kind of tribute, of course. But at the same time, I’m forging my own path, and it’s almost like I’m taking it and shaping it in my way, making the number what I want it to be: Madrid’s modern number 5.”

Birmingham City retiring his number 22 jersey: “They told me ‘no one will wear it until you come back to Birmingham.’ I was like, ‘Really?!’ I had a good year (2019-2020), but it wasn’t anything special. I looked around. ‘But wait, are we allowed to do that?’ But I understand the club’s position and their decision. My transfer saved the club, which was in a difficult situation.”

An old head on young shoulders: “I’ve heard it a lot, about how I behave on the field and how well I react to situations. The problem is that people put you on a pedestal. And then I make small mistakes, I’m human, I lose my head, and people almost say ‘oh, look, he’s not that mature.’ The truth is, I have that in me. I’m not a robot.”

Real Madrid jersey “like a superhero costume”

First time in the Real Madrid dressing room. “I was a little stressed. I’ve never been overawed by star players. But when you get here, with what they have achieved, it’s hard not to think, ‘Wow, this is the pinnacle of soccer.’ In the first few weeks, when I was getting to know them, I would eat next to Toni (Kroos) and think to myself, ‘Is he eating gold?’ And then you realise they are normal guys who help you feel good. They are very humble. 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 human being like these guys, who are inspiring as players and as men.”

First time pulling on the white jersey. “I can’t describe it. It’s a dream come true. It’s such a famous jersey. When you put it on, you almost feel like you’re wearing a superhero costume. It’s a privilege, an honour. You have to be at a certain level to wear it week after week.”

Feeling unique: “Sometimes I feel a bit unique, yes. A 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 things slowly. Sometimes you sit for a moment and think, ‘I’m doing pretty well.’ But when you take soccer day by day, with the approach of ‘today I have to be better than yesterday,’ you focus more on the negative aspects that need improvement. That’s how I was raised.”

Bellingham’s Champions League goal

Adaptability: “You have to dive in headfirst. You can’t just dip your toe to test the waters. You have to embrace the adventure. Sometimes it’s difficult, but you have to get involved. And then you have to keep a cool head, not get carried away. I have to keep moving forward, whether people say good or bad things about me.”

Racism in soccer: “It’s a really important topic for me, although it’s something people my age might want to avoid because it can be controversial. If I were to check the messages and comments I’ve received on my phone in the last twenty-four hours, I know I would find racist ones. Now, I have thick skin, but I have developed an awareness by seeing how it can affect others.”

Goals for the next five years. “I hope to win five Champions Leagues, a European Championship, and maybe a World Cup. I’m always as optimistic as possible. I don’t see the point of playing thinking that we’re going to lose. You have to go into every competition every year thinking you can win it. Otherwise, what’s the point?”