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Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham England v Ghana 23 June 2026-061 (cropped).jpg
Bellingham with England in 2026
Personal information
Full name Jude Victor William Bellingham
Date of birth (2003-06-29) 29 June 2003 (age 23)
Place of birth Stourbridge, West Midlands, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.86 m)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder, central midfielder
Team information
Current team
Real Madrid
Number 5
Youth career
2009–2010 Stourbridge Juniors
2010–2019 Birmingham City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2020 Birmingham City 41 (4)
2020–2023 Borussia Dortmund 92 (12)
2023– Real Madrid 87 (34)
International career
2016–2018 England U15 8 (1)
2018–2019 England U16 11 (4)
2019 England U17 3 (2)
2020 England U21 4 (1)
2020– England 56 (13)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:57, 23 May 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:05, 18 July 2026 (UTC)

Jude Victor William Bellingham (born 29 June 2003) is a talented English footballer. He plays as a midfielder for the Spanish club Real Madrid and the England national team. Many people consider him one of the best players in the world. He is known for his amazing athleticism and ability to win the ball.

Jude started his football journey at Birmingham City when he was very young. He became their youngest ever first-team player at just 16 years old. Later, he moved to Borussia Dortmund in Germany, where he also became their youngest goal-scorer. During his time there, he helped Dortmund win the 2020–21 DFB-Pokal cup. His excellent play in the 2022–23 season earned him the Bundesliga Player of the Season award. He also won the European Golden Boy and the worldwide Kopa Trophy for young players.

In 2023, Jude joined Real Madrid for a large transfer fee. In his first season, he was the club's top scorer in the league. He helped them win the league title and the Champions League. He was also named La Liga Player of the Season. Jude has been recognized as one of the top players globally, finishing third in the Ballon d'Or and The Best FIFA Men's Player awards in 2024. He has also represented England in major tournaments like the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup.

Jude Bellingham's Early Life and Football Start

Jude Victor William Bellingham was born on 29 June 2003 in Stourbridge, England. His parents are Denise and Mark Bellingham. Jude's father, Mark, was a police sergeant and a very good goalscorer in local football leagues. Jude also has a younger brother named Jobe, who is also a footballer.

Jude went to Priory School in Edgbaston, Birmingham. He grew up admiring the legendary French footballer Zinedine Zidane. In 2021, he completed a BTEC certificate in sport from Loughborough College.

Jude Bellingham's Club Career Highlights

Starting at Birmingham City

Jude joined Birmingham City when he was only eight years old. He had previously played for Stourbridge Juniors. By the age of 14, he was playing for Birmingham's under-18 team. He made his debut for the under-23 team at 15, even scoring a goal in that game.

Jude quickly became known as a promising young talent. In July 2019, he officially joined Birmingham City's first-team training camp. On 6 August 2019, he made his senior debut in an EFL Cup match against Portsmouth. At 16 years, 38 days, he became the youngest first-team player in Birmingham City's history.

Just a few weeks later, on 31 August, Jude scored his first goal for the club against Stoke City. This made him Birmingham City's youngest ever goalscorer. He continued to play regularly, showing his skills in midfield. He was even named EFL Young Player of the Month in November 2019.

Jude Bellingham Birmingham 2019
Bellingham with Birmingham City in 2019

Jude played 44 games in his first season, scoring four goals. Even though he was only with the first team for a short time, his impact was huge. To show their appreciation, Birmingham City decided to retire his number 22 shirt. This was to honor his achievements and inspire future young players. He also won the Championship Apprentice of the Year award.

Moving to Borussia Dortmund

In July 2020, Jude Bellingham moved to the German club Borussia Dortmund. He chose Dortmund because they were known for giving young players a chance in the first team. The transfer fee was reported to be around £25 million, making him one of the most expensive 17-year-olds in football history.

First Season and New Records

Jude made his debut for Borussia Dortmund on 14 September 2020 in a cup match. He scored a goal, becoming the club's youngest ever goalscorer in a competitive match. Just five days later, he made his league debut and provided an assist for a goal. He was named Bundesliga Rookie of the Month for September.

When he played against Lazio in the UEFA Champions League in October 2020, he became the youngest Englishman to start a Champions League match. Jude played regularly throughout his first season, scoring his first Bundesliga goal in April 2021. He also helped Dortmund win the 2021 DFB-Pokal final cup.

Jude Bellingham 2020 (cropped2)
Bellingham playing for Borussia Dortmund in 2020

He finished the season with 46 appearances and four goals. His fellow players voted him the Newcomer of the Season. He also came second in the 2021 Kopa Trophy, an award for the world's best under-21 male player.

Becoming Bundesliga Player of the Season

In December 2021, Jude played in a big match against Bayern Munich. He was critical of the referee's decisions in the game and was later fined by the German Football Association for his comments.

In October 2022, Jude scored two goals in a 5–0 win against Stuttgart. His performances throughout the 2022–23 season were outstanding. He helped Dortmund finish as runners-up in the league. For his amazing play, he won the Bundesliga Player of the Season award.

In 2023, Jude won the Kopa Trophy, recognizing him as the best under-21 male player in the world. He was the first Englishman to receive this award.

Joining Real Madrid

On 14 June 2023, Jude Bellingham signed a six-year contract with the Spanish club Real Madrid. The transfer fee was €103 million, with potential additional payments. This made him the sixth Englishman to join Real Madrid in the modern era.

Amazing Debut Season and Records

Jude made an incredible start at Real Madrid. On 12 August 2023, he scored a goal in his debut match against Athletic Bilbao. He continued his goalscoring form, becoming the league's top scorer in August and winning the La Liga Player of the Month award.

He scored in his first four competitive games for the club, a feat only achieved by two other players in Real Madrid's history. By scoring 10 goals in his first 10 matches, he equaled Cristiano Ronaldo's record. On 28 October, he scored two goals, including a late winner, against rivals Barcelona in El Clásico. His first goal was Real Madrid's 300th in El Clásico.

Jude's coach, Carlo Ancelotti, praised him, saying he played like a veteran. Jude won the Golden Boy award for 2023, recognizing him as the best male under-21 footballer in Europe. He dislocated his left shoulder in November but returned to play quickly, scoring more goals and breaking club records.

In November 2023, Jude became the first player to score in his first four Champions League appearances for Real Madrid. He continued to score important goals, including a winner against Barcelona in April 2024. This made him Madrid's all-time top English scorer. He also won the Laureus World Sports Award for Breakthrough of the Year in 2024.

Jude finished his first season as Real Madrid's top league scorer with 19 goals. He helped them win the La Liga title and the Champions League. He was named La Liga Player of the Season and the UEFA Champions League Young Player of the Season. He also finished third in the Ballon d'Or and The Best FIFA Men's Player awards.

Second Season and European Super Cup

Jude started his second season in Spain on 14 August 2024. He assisted his new teammate Kylian Mbappé's debut goal as Madrid won the European Super Cup against Atalanta. He scored his first goal of the season in November 2024. Over the next month, he scored in six consecutive La Liga matches, a first for a Real Madrid player since 2016. He was named La Liga Player of the Month for December.

In February 2025, Bellingham received a two-match suspension for protesting a referee's decision.

Shoulder Surgery and Return

On 16 July 2025, Real Madrid announced that Jude had surgery for a long-standing shoulder injury. He returned to action earlier than expected, playing in a 2–0 win over Espanyol on 20 September. He scored his first goal of the season in the Champions League on 22 October. The following weekend, he scored his first La Liga goal of the season, which was his third match-winner against Barcelona in his Real Madrid career.

Jude Bellingham's International Career

Playing for England's Youth Teams

Jude was eligible to play for England and also for the Republic of Ireland. He chose to play for England. He made his debut for the England under-15 team in December 2016. He even captained that team.

By the end of 2018, he was playing for the England under-16 team, where he scored four goals and was also captain. In September 2019, he joined the England under-17 squad for a friendly tournament. He scored in his debut and captained the team to win the tournament.

In September 2020, Jude was called up to the under-21 squad. He became the youngest player to appear for England U21, scoring a goal in his debut match.

Playing for the Senior England Team

In November 2020, Jude was called up to the England senior squad for the first time. He made his debut in a friendly match against the Republic of Ireland on 12 November. At 17 years and 136 days old, he became England's third-youngest full international player.

UEFA Euro 2020

Jude was part of the England squad for the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament, which took place in 2021. When he played in England's opening match against Croatia, he became the youngest Englishman to play at any major tournament. He was also the youngest player of any nationality to play at a UEFA European Championship at that time.

2022 FIFA World Cup

2022 FIFA World Cup - Bellingham (cropped)
Bellingham playing for England at the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Jude scored his first senior international goal in England's 6–2 victory over Iran at the 2022 FIFA World Cup on 21 November. This made him the first person born in the 21st century to score in a World Cup. He also became England's second-youngest scorer at a World Cup. He played a key role in several other goals during the tournament.

UEFA Euro 2024

Jude was selected for England's squad for UEFA Euro 2024. He scored a powerful header in England's first match against Serbia, helping them win 1–0. He was named player of the match.

In the round of 16 match against Slovakia, he scored a dramatic equalizer with an overhead kick in the 95th minute. This took the game into extra time, which England won 2–1. Bellingham was again named player of the match. After scoring, Bellingham made a gesture towards the opposing bench. UEFA investigated this and fined him for not following the rules of good conduct.

Jude played all 120 minutes of the quarter-final against Switzerland. He scored in the penalty shootout, which England won. England reached the final, but lost to Spain, finishing as runners-up.

2026 FIFA World Cup

Jude Bellingham England v Panama 27 June 26-160 (cropped)
Bellingham playing for England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

On 22 May 2026, Jude was chosen for the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This made him the youngest European player to play in four different major men's tournaments. He scored in England's first match, a 4–2 win over Croatia. A week later, on 23 June, he played his 50th international game for England. At 22 years and 359 days, he became the youngest player to reach this milestone, breaking Wayne Rooney's record.

In England's final group match on 27 June, Jude scored a goal and set up another in a 2–0 win against Panama. This helped England win their group and move to the knockout stages. In the round of 16 against host nation Mexico, Jude scored twice in two minutes as England won 3–2. He was named Man of the Match and became the youngest player to play in ten World Cup matches.

In the quarter-final against Norway, he was again named Man of the Match after scoring two goals in England's 2–1 victory. He became one of only a few players to score multiple goals in consecutive World Cup knockout matches. On 18 July, during the third-place match against France, Jude scored in a 6–4 victory. This brought his total to seven goals for the tournament, making it the most goals ever by an England player in a single World Cup.

Jude Bellingham's Player Profile

Jude Bellingham is known for his amazing control of the ball, his strength, and his technical skills. Many consider him one of the best and most complete midfielders in the world. He is praised for being able to play in many different positions and for his energetic style. He is excellent at both defending and attacking.

Experts describe him as a "do-it-all midfielder" who can win the ball, move it forward, keep possession, and create chances. He is also great at assisting and scoring goals. Football legends like Philipp Lahm have called him a "complete midfielder" who can dribble, pass, shoot, and is fearless in challenges. Phil Foden described him as "one of the most gifted players I've ever seen."

After moving to Real Madrid in 2023, Jude started playing in a more advanced role. He often played as an attacking midfielder or even as a second striker. This change helped him score many goals, including 10 in his first 10 matches for Madrid.

Jude's talent at a young age has earned him many awards. He won the IFFHS World's Best Youth Player in 2022 and 2023. He also received the Golden Boy award and Kopa Trophy in 2023.

Jude Bellingham Outside Football

Jude Bellingham during an EA Sports event in September 2024 2
Bellingham during the EA Sports FC 25 launch event in September 2024

Jude Bellingham is also a popular figure off the field. In May 2024, he signed a big deal with the sports drink brand Lucozade. In June 2024, he appeared in a campaign for Kim Kardashian's clothing brand, Skims, modeling men's underwear.

In July 2024, he was announced as the cover star for the video game EA Sports FC 25. The same month, Adidas launched his first special collection of clothing with his own JB monogram logo. In August 2024, Louis Vuitton named him a "Friend of the House," starting a partnership. In September 2024, Jude launched his official YouTube channel with a documentary about his first year in Spain. He also appeared in an Adidas documentary film in December 2024.

In July 2025, Jude was revealed as one of the cover stars for EA Sports FC 26 for the second time. In September 2025, he became an ambassador for the Laureus World Sports Awards. In November 2025, Jude launched his own app, "JB5". In April 2026, he bought a small share in Birmingham Phoenix, a cricket team.

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Birmingham City 2019–20 Championship 41 4 2 0 1 0 44 4
Borussia Dortmund 2020–21 Bundesliga 29 1 6 2 10 1 1 0 46 4
2021–22 Bundesliga 32 3 3 0 8 3 1 0 44 6
2022–23 Bundesliga 31 8 4 2 7 4 42 14
Total 92 12 13 4 25 8 2 0 132 24
Real Madrid 2023–24 La Liga 28 19 1 0 11 4 2 0 42 23
2024–25 La Liga 31 9 4 1 13 3 10 2 58 15
2025–26 La Liga 28 6 1 0 9 2 2 0 40 8
Total 87 34 6 1 33 9 14 2 140 46
Career total 220 50 21 5 1 0 58 17 16 2 316 74

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
England 2020 1 0
2021 9 0
2022 12 1
2023 5 1
2024 13 4
2025 6 0
2026 10 7
Total 56 13
England score listed first, score column indicates score after each Bellingham goal
List of international goals scored by Jude Bellingham
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 21 November 2022 Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar 18  Iran 1–0 6–2 2022 FIFA World Cup
2 12 September 2023 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland 26  Scotland 2–0 3–1 Friendly
3 26 March 2024 Wembley Stadium, London, England 29  Belgium 2–2 2–2 Friendly
4 16 June 2024 Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen, Germany 30  Serbia 1–0 1–0 UEFA Euro 2024
5 30 June 2024 Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen, Germany 33  Slovakia 1–1 2–1 (a.e.t.) UEFA Euro 2024
6 10 October 2024 Wembley Stadium, London, England 37  Greece 1–1 1–2 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B
7 17 June 2026 AT&T Stadium, Arlington, United States 49  Croatia 3–2 4–2 2026 FIFA World Cup
8 27 June 2026 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, United States 51  Panama 1–0 2–0 2026 FIFA World Cup
9 5 July 2026 Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico 53  Mexico 1–0 3–2 2026 FIFA World Cup
10 2–0
11 11 July 2026 Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, United States 54  Norway 1–1 2–1 (a.e.t.) 2026 FIFA World Cup
12 2–1
13 18 July 2026 Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, United States 56  France 6–4 6–4 2026 FIFA World Cup

Honours and Awards

25th Laureus World Sports Awards - 240422 205212 (cropped)
Bellingham with the 2024 Laureus World Sports Award for Breakthrough of the Year

Borussia Dortmund

Real Madrid

England U17

  • Syrenka Cup: 2019

England

Individual

  • England Men's Player of the Year: 2024–25
  • Birmingham City Under-15/16 Goal of the Season: 2018
  • Birmingham City Special Achievement Award: 2018
  • Syrenka Cup Player of the Tournament: 2019
  • EFL Young Player of the Month: November 2019
  • Birmingham City Young Player of the Year: 2019–20
  • EFL Young Player of the Season: 2019–20
  • Championship Apprentice of the Year: 2019–20
  • Bundesliga Rookie of the Month: September 2020
  • Bundesliga Goal of the Month: October 2021
  • Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2021–22, 2022–23
  • VDV Bundesliga Newcomer of the Season: 2020–21
  • VDV Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2021–22, 2022–23
  • Kopa Trophy: 2023; runner-up: 2021
  • Goal NXGN: 2022
  • IFFHS Men's Youth (U20) World Team: 2021, 2022, 2023
  • IFFHS Men's World's Best Youth Player: 2022, 2023
  • IFFHS Men's World Team: 2023, 2024
  • IFFHS World's Best Playmaker: 2024
  • ESPN Midfielder of the Year: 2022–23
  • Bundesliga Player of the Season: 2022–23
  • VDV Bundesliga Player of the Season: 2022–23
  • Golden Boy: 2023
  • Globe Soccer Awards Emerging Player of the Year: 2023
  • Globe Soccer Awards Midfielder of the Year: 2024
  • Globe Soccer Awards Maradona Award: 2024
  • FIFPRO World 11: 2023, 2024, 2025
  • FIFA Men's World 11: 2024, 2025
  • La Liga Player of the Month: August 2023, October 2023, December 2024
  • La Liga U23 Player of the Month: January 2025
  • La Liga Player of the Season: 2023–24
  • La Liga Team of the Season: 2023–24, 2024–25
  • UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2023–24
  • UEFA Champions League Young Player of the Season: 2023–24
  • Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year: 2024
  • ESM Team of the Year: 2023–24
  • FIFA World Cup Bronze Boot: 2026

See also

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