Bellingham’s rise from Birmingham City to Real Madrid is one of the most unbelievable ascents in world football. From a lanky 14-year-old to one of the most well-rounded midfielders in the modern game, the England international has truly taken the world by storm. In this post, we’ll discuss Bellingham’s rise to the top and just how high hsi ceiling is. **Remember, sign up on Betking, the best online sports betting platform in Nigeria, to gain access to the best odds, betting offers and bet predictions on a daily basis. You should also visit our blog to take advantage of professional betting tips and well analysed football matches from all over Europe.** **Bellingham: Early beginnings** Bellingham was one of these kids who lived, ate and breathed football. His development accelerated around the ages of 11 to 13, where he displayed maturity and determination beyond his years. At 14, he was already playing for the Birmingham U-18 side, and quickly established himself as a standout performer. He was so good as an early teenager that he dominated games against older and stronger opponents. His academy coach at the time, Mike Dodds, instantly recognized Bellingham’s versatility, envisioning him as a player adept at performing to a high level across multiple positions and was determined to help the youngster showcase his true talents.
Bellingham continued to show his exceptional talent, and his performances at development level catapulted him into the U23s team at the tender age of 15. From that point, it didn't take long for the first-team coaches to sit up and take notice. The culmination of his efforts came with an introduction to the first-team setup, where he was handed his league debut as a substitute against Stoke City. The youngster not only contributed to a 2-1 victory but also scored the decisive winning goal. He was named young player of the month in November 2019 despite playing less than half a season, and by January the big clubs started sniffing around. He stayed until the end of the season, scoring 4 goals and contributing 3 assists in 44 appearances but Unfortunately for fans of Birmingham City, that would be Bellingham’s final season in the midlands. In the end, the bright lights of Europe’s biggest clubs were just too much to ignore. **Borrusia Dortmund move: Rise to prominence** Manchester United and Borussia Dortumnd led a two-way battle to secure Bellingham’s services in the summer of 2020. After assessing his options carefully, the 17-year-old chose to join the Bundesliga giants – a wise move considering their successful history of nurturing bright young talents. The transfer fee received was £25m, the highest sum ever paid for a 17-year-old and the biggest return ever made by Birmingham City for selling a player. He made his debut for Dortmund against MSV Duisburg in September 2020, dazzling throughout and capping an excellent all-round performance with a fine goal. He had truly arrived. As Bellingham’s club career flourished, so did his international career. His debut for England came in November 2020, coming on as a substitute for Mason Mount against the Republic of Ireland. His performance in that game and in subsequent England appearances paved the way for his selection in the 2020 European Championships, delayed to 2021 due to the pandemic. Bellingham became the youngest player to ever feature at the Euros at just 17 years and 349 days.
His first two seasons in Germany saw him become an undisputed starter in midfield, but it was in his final season in Germany that he truly became a world class talent. With Erling Haalad and Jadon Sancho gone, Belligham truly became the heart of the team, at just 20 years old. He was now an integral part of the England national team, starting every game for Gareth Southgate’s men at the World Cup in Qatar where the Three Lions suffered a quarter-final exit to France. On a personal level, Bellingham had his best season. He finished the campaign with 14 goals and 7 assists in 42 appearances and was named Bundesliga player of the season as Dortmund missed out on the league title due to a final day capitulation. His leadership qualities at such a young age were also apparent. On October 1, 2022, Bellingham captained Dortmund against Cologne, making him the youngest player to ever wear the captain’s armband in Bundesliga history. **Big-Money Move to Real Madrid** Despite his deep love and affection for Dortmund, it was time to embrace the biggest challenge of his career – playing for Real Madrid. Real Madrid unveiled the signing of the 20-year-old on a six-year contract on June 14, 2023 for a staggering fee of €103m. Bellingham, reflecting on his decision to join the club, emphasised the immense respect England holds for Real Madrid and revealed he would love to be “one of the players to add to its great history.” It’s safe to say he is currently on the right path. 13 goals in his first 14 games cannot even begin to tell the story of his outstanding impact since arriving at the Bernabeu. Bellingham's impact at Madrid has been nothing short of extraordinary. His tally of 10 goals in his first 10 matches, equalled Cristiano Ronaldo's 2009 record. Continuously breaking records, he became the first Real Madrid player in the 21st century to score in each of his first three Champions League games, including the decisive goal in a 2–1 victory against Braga. Think he’s done? No way! On October 28, he secured a 2–1 triumph over Barcelona with a second-half brace, a historic feat making him the first to score in both La Liga and Champions League debuts and in El Clasico. Real Madrid boss coach Carlo Ancelotti was impressed after the Clasico win, saying: **“He seems like a veteran, the goal to level it totally changed the game, today he was stupendous and shocked everyone with his wonderful goal from the edge of the area.”** His stellar performances earned him La Liga Player of the Month for October, and, following the earlier receipt of the Kopa Trophy, he clinched the prestigious Golden Boy award for 2023, solidifying his status as the top male under-21 footballer in the world.
For a player who has risen to a new level every year, it is very unlikely that he sits on his laurels. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are coming to the end of their illustrious careers and there will certainly be a vacancy at the top of the sport. Kylian Mbappe is an early front-runner for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, along with Erling Haaland but Bellingham could have a say as well. He will be a vital player for England at next year’s Euros and will be a worthy choice for LaLiga’s best player at the end of the season, despite his current injury. The scary part? He’s just 20 years old. There could be more than a decade of dominance to come from England’s brightest talent. What Ronaldo and Messi have done may never be replicated, but Bellingham can write his own story and he is off to a breathtaking start. Enjoy long-term betting odds with BetKing and bet on these markets:
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