ENGLAND football player Jude Bellingham doesn’t hold back on the pitch.
From bicycle kicks to passionate team talks, Bellingham throws his all into the game and his goal celebrations can attest to that. But what do his goal celebrations mean?
Who is Jude Bellingham?
Jude Bellingham is an English professional footballer.
Born June 29, 2003 Bellingham plays for Real Madrid and the England national team.
Parents Denise and Mark Bellingham raised him and his younger brother Jobe, in Stourbridge, in the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, West Midlands.
Bellingham’s father Mark, was himself a prolific goalscorer in non-League football at East Thurrock United.
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And his brother Jobe, plays for Sunderland and the England U20 national team.
Bellingham’s football career started at seven-years-old when he joined Birmingham City as an under-8, after playing for Stourbridge Juniors.
He made his debut for the under-23 team at the age of 16 where he became the youngest ever player to feature and score for Birmingham City.
Bellingham’s transfer from Birmingham City to Borussia Dortmund set a world record transfer fee for a 17-year-old in 2020.
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Upon Bellingham’s departure to Borussia Dortmund, Birmingham City retired the no.22 shirt in recognition of him and to inspire others.
What is Jude Bellingham’s goal celebration?
Each player has his own way of celebrating a goal.
Some players use hand gestures or somersaults to join in with the crowds excitement.
Bellingham has a number of goal celebrations but one in particular has become iconic – much in the same way that Cristiano Ronaldo became known for his knee glide, and Luis Saurez for blowing three kisses – Bellingham has become known for his ‘arms aloft’ goal gesture.
When Bellingham scores, his go-to celebration involves running to the fans before stretching his arms out wide as if to present himself to the supporters.
Another one of his favourite goal celebrations seen in the Euro 2024 games was the ‘Werewolf.’
This goal celebration entails dropping to one knee before placing a splayed hand over his face.
What is the meaning behind Jude Bellingham’s celebration move?
Bellingham first performed the celebration as a teenager in 2019 when playing for Birmingham City in the English Championship.
Since then, Bellingham has performed the same celebration at Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and in games for England.
When asked what it meant Bellingham told RMTV: “The truth is that I don’t know exactly where it comes from.
“I started doing it in Birmingham and from there I have continued it but there is no reason.”
However according to Bellingham, the ‘Werewolf’ has more meaning because it was a reference to a card game played amongst staff and team mates.
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The gesture is said to be a nod to the importance of the backroom staff.
The midfielder explained: “When we play Wolf, one of the staff loves that face when he doesn’t have a clue what is going on so that was a little group celebration for the Wolf crew.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
