In the expansive fan zone of Doha, there is an enormous portrait of Jude Bellingham and a larger one of Lionel Messi in the Adidas concession.
Some people questioned whether the marketing executives hadn’t gotten a little ahead of themselves before the event started.
Jude, who is 19 years old, has only participated in 117 league games, 41 of which were Championship games for Birmingham City.
Messi is regarded as the all-time great football player.
However, Jude stated on Monday afternoon at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar that he had merited the position beside the Argentinian.
England fans honored Harry with a thunderous performance of the Beatles song Hey Jude following his brilliant headed goal and exhilarating box-to-box performance in his opening World Cup match.
Since Michael Owen made his debut against Argentina in 1998 with a spectacular goal, no English youth has lighted up the international scene quite like he does now.
Thoughtful Jude, who has model beautiful looks and was born to working-class parents in Stourbridge, West Midlands, manages to stay impressively grounded.
He said on a podcast for his German team Borussia Dortmund, “I’m just Jude.”
“Just because I play professional football, doesn’t mean that I’m a unique individual. I can kick a ball around, but that doesn’t make me any better than anyone else.”
His parents, Mark and Denise, instilled in him a sense of humility since he was a little child.
Additionally, he has stated of Denise, 54, and Mark, 46, “They’re great people before they become great parents.” They both come from working-class backgrounds and have all you need to get along.
“You can apply those lessons not only in your social and personal life but also in football: perseverance, hard work, and putting in the necessary effort to achieve your goals.”
His father was a journeyman non-league striker and was a police sergeant until he retired last week.
Jude spent windy, muddy afternoons watching his father at football outposts from Southend to Sutton Coldfield with his mother and younger brother Jobe.
Jude shared a picture on Twitter of his crop-headed father holding him as he limped off the field before a Southend Catholic United game in Essex.
Born in Southend At the age of forty, Mark scored 700 goals for Paget Rangers of Midland League Division Two in 2016.
The milestone, attained in almost 850 games, started in 1994 with a goal for East Thurrock United.
He played for about fifteen different teams, including Stourbridge and Bromsgrove Rovers, but he considered himself to be “not very good!”
“I used to watch him play all the time, and that’s where I started to get that love for football,” the England midfielder remarked about his father.
“My game reflects that tough, non-league style of being gritty when needed, and I do believe that comes from watching my dad play— even though he never tackled!”
Jude and Denise came to the northern German city and shared an apartment after Jude joined for Dortmund at the age of 17.
He stated in May of last year: “My mother does pretty much everything for me and keeps me in check every day.” Keeping me grounded and composed is crucial, and she does just that.
Jude Victor William Bellingham, who was born in June 2003, started playing football on a patch of grass outside the Hagley, West Midlands, house of his parents.
Jude and Jobe were playing in a nearby park, according to former West Bromwich Albion winger Gary Hackett, who went on to manage Mark Bellingham at Stourbridge.
“Even if they weren’t participating in the session, they would be kicking and running with a ball, and it was evident they were passionate about football,” he recounted.
They were obviously naturally talented athletes. They possessed strong technical abilities and could run.
Jobe and Jude were also cricket players.
Hagley Cricket Club coach Fady Jadayel stated: “At age 11, Jude stood out as incredibly talented.” He was a naturally gifted athlete. He moved with a posture and grace that is hard to describe without seeming strange. What incredible coordination he had.
Football would eventually win the lads over to cricket.
At seven years old, Jude enrolled in Birmingham City’s pre-academy. Mike Dodds, a former mentor and academy manager, recalled: “At under-sevens he was just like any other boy, really.”
“He wasn’t this erratic, generational prodigy that people now identify him as, even though he was clearly extremely excellent.
“He wasn’t the greatest in his age group, and his passion for the game wasn’t entirely evident.” Although we admired him, we would have thought it was strange if someone had predicted that he would be in the England team at the age of 17.
Jude, then 12 years old, and Dodds had a chat in 2015 that would influence Jude’s future career.
“Grace and poise”
“I think you can play all areas of midfield,” he remarked after sitting down with him. As a result, sitting midfield was a No4, No. 8 was a box to box player, and No. 10 was a creator and scorer.
“The total of all those numbers was 22 when we tallied them together. We thus determined that to be his number.
Jude wore his Blues shirt number 22 on the back as he sprinted out to play Portsmouth in the Carabao Cup on August 6, 2019.
Being 16 years and 38 days old, he was the youngest first-team player in Birmingham City history.
Even though he would play 43 more games for City that season and earn £145 a week, the Championship was not the right venue for his flashy skills.
Manchester United was soon snooping about.
However, it might be difficult for young players to make an impression on Premiership Big Six sides.
Dad Mark was more interested in Borussia Dortmund of Germany, who have a history of developing young talent, such as England’s Jadon Sancho, and who offered a £25 million agreement.
When Birmingham retired the No. 22 shirt, which had only been worn by teenagers 44 times, some thought they were being a little theatrical, but they have since been proven to be prophetically accurate.
He started a Champions League match against Lazio of Italy in October 2020, making history as the youngest Englishman to do so at the age of 17 years and 113 days.
After a month, Gareth Southgate made an appearance.
Jude made his England debut as a substitute against the Republic of Ireland at Wembley whilst sporting his cherished No. 22 shirt.
After Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott, he became the third-youngest full international for England at the age of 17 years, 136 days.
“You can’t help but marvel at the performance of a boy that age,” England manager Garry Southgate remarked following his debut appearance for the country, against Austria in June 2021. Maybe calling him a boy at the age of 17 is a little harsh, since he plays like a man.
Dodds, a former academy coach, attributes Jude’s extraordinary career to his close-knit family.
He said: “He’s become very humble and extremely focused because of how consistent they are and how strong their bond is.” He has a great familial relationship and is extremely driven to achieve the best. It’s practically the ideal combination.
Following his path, 17-year-old brother Jobe made his Birmingham debut last season.
Mark tweeted last week that he had turned in his warrant card from West Midlands Police, saying, “As of midnight, I became a civilian after 24+ years of service.” Although they’re not flawless, police officers do their best in challenging situations. We have a chance if we can be kind to each other.
During his peak, Mark’s weekly football earnings were approximately £200.
Jude currently makes about £50,000 per week with Dortmund, but a move to an English or Spanish powerhouse could more than triple that amount.
It seems like he has countless opportunities off the field as well.
Thus far, he has raised money for a Kenyan school through his newly discovered celebrity.
Jude, however, is quick to recall those breezy days spent watching his dad on the muddy English playing grounds, even though he is surrounded by wealth and praise.
Although Mark Bellingham, a talented non-league striker, is advertised as Messi’s opponent, Bellingham is the one he refers to as his “first footballing hero.”