ENGLAND and Real Madrid have gone from Golden Balls to Golden Bells.
When Jude Bellingham arrived in the Spanish capital last summer, not many would have expected him to have such an incredible debut season.
The 20-year-old fired Real Madrid to the LaLiga title and Champions League glory, scoring a remarkable 23 goals from midfield in all competitions.
It only took Bellingham a year to earn hero status at the Santiago Bernabeu and he is now a household name.
As the Three Lions prepare for Euro 2024, it is England fans who are now pinning their hopes on the former Birmingham City starlet.
Ten years ago, it was David Beckham as the country’s poster boy with ever-growing celebrity status – and this time around it’s Bellingham.
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There are many similarities between the two and perhaps Bells is on the right path to be the new Becks…
Model pro
Bellingham’s rise to the top of the football world has seen him become a celebrity off the pitch.
The Brummie tries to live a quiet life and stays grounded by often returning to his home city.
But his marketability has brands throwing huge money at him.
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Beckham has been the face of Adidas, Walkers and Pepsi to name just a few.
He has also delved into modelling, stripping down to his pants for Emporio Armani and Calvin Klein down the years.
And now Bellingham has done the same for Kim Kardashian’s brand SKIMS.
In the advert, he shows off his football skills and ripped physique in just briefs – similar to how Becks once did.
A sports marketing expert has claimed Bellingham is on his way to becoming a “commercial machine”.
A perfect phrase to describe Beckham’s status.
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Business brain
Jude is set to cash in on his fame after trademarking his name for a mass of products.
From Christmas crackers, beer and party hats – the youngster can take legal action if anyone tries to sell a variety of goods using the Bellingham name.
Beckham has also moved into the business world – notably founding MLS club Inter Miami.
He also has his own whisky brand Haig Club, is part-owner of Salford, and a production company called Studio 99, which produced his own Netflix documentary series.
Real Madrid mania
When Beckham joined Real in 2003, there was a media frenzy around the world.
The club went on a pre-season tour of Asia and Beckham was the face of the famous Galactico side ahead of the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Raul and Luis Figo.
Bellingham has a similarly powerful pull, with him and new signing Kylian Mbappe set to front the 2024 summer tour of the United States.
The midfielder’s trademark celebration has also been a hit with supporters and fellow players who have all copied it.
Beckham even did his own version on social media as he thanked Bellingham after Champions League glory in May.
Becks was a success on the pitch and was adored by Real Madrid fans.
His passion, hard work and technical quality made him a hit at the Bernabeu.
And those exact traits see Bellingham loved by supporters.
Both in interviews, despite their fame and talent, come across grounded.
Although you can argue Bellingham is well on the way to surpassing the amount of love Becks received after his fine debut season – plus he can speak Spanish.
Both have one LaLiga title to their name and surely Bellingham will soon add another to his collection.
England’s golden boy
For years, it was Beckham who was England’s star man.
He captained the Three Lions, scored iconic goals and was capped 115 times.
Bellingham goes into the Euros, having featured 29 times for his country.
He might not have the captain’s armband or the famous strikes just yet but at the age of 20 it will surely all come in the future.
Whether it’s Gareth Southgate in 2024 or Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2004, Bellingham and Beckham are the first names on the team-sheet.
Glam Wags
Beckham’s marriage to Spice Girl Victoria made them the most sought-after celeb couple on the planet.
Bellingham’s new girlfriend Laura Celia Valk could be next Wag to gain the world’s attention.
She is a Dutch model with 503,000 followers on her ever growing Instagram account.
Posh Spice has 33million so there’s still some way to go.
Meet Jude Bellingham’s stunning girlfriend, lingerie model Laura Celia Valk
By Jon Boon
LAURA CELIA VALK is the stunning Dutch fashion model who has stolen Jude Bellingham’s heart.
The Sun exclusively revealed that she’s been staying at his place in Madrid and is completely smitten with him.
Laura boasts a huge social media following and regularly travels the world, enjoying a luxurious lifestyle.
From underwear modelling to showing off Pretty Little Thing’s latest wear, she regularly collaborates with fashion houses around the globe.
Wherever she is, Laura makes sure to drop into Chanel – her favourite designer.
She’s also quite the foodie, with pizza and strawberries being her favourites.
It won’t be long before we see her at the Bernabeu enjoying a prawn sandwich!
Find out more about Laura.
Or read all the latest Jude Bellingham news.
World at their feet
The Bellingham and Beckham comparison has even been made by England boss Southgate.
He said: “The conversations I had with Jude were about the fact that he now lives in a different world.
“He is still very young, he handles all this very well, but his life cannot be that of a 20-year-old who can go wherever he wants, do whatever he wants.
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“I spent some time talking to him to get him to realise what that means.
“I played with David Beckham, who lived in a different world. This world is Jude’s today.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
