Jude Bellingham could become soccer’s ultimate superstar with Champions League final, Euro 2024 ahead

Jude Bellingham’s summer time problem begins on Saturday, a probably epic six-week odyssey which will finish with the Real Madrid and England playmaker established as soccer’s undisputed important man.

It has been one heck of a experience for the 20-year-old thus far, and but, unbelievable as this may occasionally sound, it could be simply getting began.

This weekend’s Champions League closing between Madrid and his former crew, Borussia Dortmund, is perhaps the conclusion to the European membership season, however whether it is to become a magical month-and-change to proceed the Bellingham fairy story, it’s truly simply the primary chapter of the story.

On Wednesday, Bellingham was named as La Liga’s participant of the season following his debut marketing campaign in Spain, due to his central position in making certain the membership clinched the title by a snug 10-point margin from Barcelona. 

The similar day, a report revealed by the revered CIES Football Observatory positioned Bellingham on the head of a listing of probably the most priceless gamers within the soccer world, estimating his “fair price” on the open switch market at $304 million. And but, even at that valuation, the probability of Madrid promoting him vary someplace between an impending alien invasion and your Powerball numbers arising precisely.

Real covets glory within the Champions League greater than some other competitors, and the 14-time champion will go into the conflict at London’s Wembley Stadium a heavy favourite, with the situation of the matchup including an additional layer of sentiment and spice for Bellingham.

England’s nationwide stadium is the place Bellingham has already shined for his nation, and from the place — win or lose — he’ll depart for the briefest of breaks earlier than assembly up with head coach Gareth Southgate’s England crew ahead of its European Championships marketing campaign.

“It’s definitely special,” Bellingham advised reporters. “But the preparation has to be the same as it is for every game. It’s important to be me and not to worry too much about the emotional side.”

“This is a game I’ve been dreaming of since I started playing football. I understand the opportunity and I don’t want to waste a second. It would be stupid now to get here and want to hide away from the occasion.

“I’ve all the time thought to dream as huge as potential. It’s a sense I’ve all the time had rising up, that I needed to play proper on the highest stage. I’ve labored onerous, however there’s a number of luck concerned as effectively. I do not draw back from saying how lucky I’ve been. Now I’m right here, I need to take pleasure in each second.”

The responsibility on Bellingham’s shoulders between now and mid-July is to continue one glorious tradition and erase another, gloomier one. While Real Madrid has delivered time and again in Europe’s premier continental club competition, England has flattered to deceive so often before. 

Since winning its only major title at the 1966 World Cup, the nation that invented modern soccer came unstuck against Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God in 1986,” lost on penalties to West Germany in 1990 and unified Germany at Euro 1996. There have been quarterfinals by the bucketload, a blown semifinal lead to Croatia in the 2018 World Cup, worst of all, a soul-crushing shootout defeat at Wembley in the Euro 2020 final against Italy.

So many disappointments usually cause some to lead-in pessimism, at least before a couple of decent results sees jingoistic fervor kick in, but this time the excellence of Bellingham, and especially his calm and poise, has the country genuinely believing.

England begins its Group E campaign against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen, before taking on last time’s semifinal opponent Denmark and then Slovenia.

Bellingham’s Madrid teammate, former Ballon D’Or winner Luka Modric, told reporters why his young colleague generates such assurance in colleagues and fans alike.

“I communicate loads with Jude Bellingham,” Modric said. “He has confirmed everybody what sort of expertise and participant he’s, however what has shocked me probably the most about him is his mentality and work ethic — it is second to none.

“He is amazing, every training session, every game, he gives 100 percent. His winning mentality is what surprised me, his football IQ is amazing. He understands the game very well, but if you need tackles, he’s there. If you need to fight, he’s there.”

Madrid’s run to the ultimate was dramatic, beating Manchester City in a quarterfinal shootout earlier than recovering late to finish Bayern Munich’s run within the semifinal. Dortmund made it this far by stifling the attacking threats of Paris St. Germain, Kylian Mbappé included, holding the French aspect goalless in each legs of the semi.

If you get the sense that Bellingham is on the very doorstep of getting into the position of soccer’s generational chief, like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi did for therefore lengthy, you are not alone.

But such a lofty standing is attained by conducting the most important challenges of all, the precise path Bellingham has in entrance of him within the coming weeks.

Martin Rogers is a columnist for FOX Sports. Follow him on Twitter @MRogersFOX and subscribe to the daily newsletter.

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