Jude Bellingham, the Stourbridge-born football hero for England, took time out of his hectic schedule to visit with aspiring athletes at a local football academy.

On Wednesday, September 13, at the McDonald’s fun football sessions held by Kixx Stourbridge football academy on the Lea Vale playing fields in Norton, Real Madrid midfielder Jude, who formerly played for Stourbridge Juniors before joining Birmingham City as a young player, visited with young players and their parents.

Jude Bellingham at the Kixx Stourbridge football academy-hosted McDonald’s Fun Football event

After spending three years with Germany’s Borussia Dortmund, Bellingham inked a contract with Real Madrid in June and quickly rose to prominence. He scored the opening goal in England’s thrilling opening game against Iran at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Later on, his outstanding performances earned him a transfer to Real Madrid, where he intends to play with some of the best football players of all time.

Bellingham, who turned 20 this summer, is also an ambassador for McDonald’s Fun Football, the biggest grassroots project in the UK for kids aged five to eleven. Bellingham is predicted to be the captain of England by the time he is 25.

As part of his job, he also went back to his old hometown, where a massive painting on the side of the Ryemarket shopping mall honours his accomplishments.

Kixx Stourbridge posted on their Facebook page about the event, saying, “Wow! What a fantastic experience!

Jude Bellingham visited to participate in a fun football game for the kids in Stourbridge as part of the kickoff of the local McDonald’s fun football initiative, which begins this weekend.

“He even met several of our Kixx superstars. I’m not sure if the coaches or a few of the parents were more thrilled than the kids!

“How gracious he was, making time for everyone in what must have been an extremely hectic schedule.”

One of the young athletes who had the opportunity to interact with the football great was Archie-James Smith, a student at Hob Green Primary School.

The six-year-old from Amblecote, who is obsessed with football, was ecstatic to meet his idol.