TEARFUL Jude Bellingham capped a dream Real Madrid debut season by winning his first Champions League title.
The England superstar, 20, got the better of countryman Jadon Sancho and ex-club Borussia Dortmund as Carlo Ancelotti’s heroes became the Kings of Europe for a 15th time at Wembley last night.
And Bellingham, who set up Vinicius Jr for Real’s second, beamed: “This is the best night of my life. I can’t have dreamed of much more this season.”
Bellingham also won the Spanish LaLiga this campaign after joining from Dortmund in a £115million deal.
Asked if this had been a dream first season, the midfielder — named LaLiga Player of the Season — grinned: “It’s got to be up there.
“We missed out on the Copa del Rey — that’s the only disappointing thing I suppose.
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“But there’s always many more years to try and get that one.
“I can’t have dreamed of much more this season. I’m so grateful.
“My team-mates, the staff, my family. The team behind the team like the physios. It’s a massive group effort. I just can’t believe it.
“I always dreamed of playing in these games. You go through life and there are so many people who say you can’t do things.
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“It gets hard at times but nights like tonight make you realise it was worth it and all those kinds of things.”
Bellingham’s family were in attendance, with his father Mark, mother Denise, and brother Jobe Bellingham spotted in the stands FIVE HOURS prior to kick off.
Emotional Bellingham, speaking live on TNT Sports, added: “I was alright until I saw my mum and dad’s face.
“The amount of nights where they can be at home by seven o’clock and they’re doing trips at 11 and 12 at night to take me to football.
“And my little brother there who I’m trying to be a role model for, yeah, I can’t put into words, it’s the best night of my life.”
The Real Madrid midfielder kept pausing throughout the pitch-side interview as he tried to catch his family’s eye in the stands.
TV cameras had caught the family eating their lunch alone in the stands hours before kick-off, with Jose Mourinho paying tribute to both Jude and his family by saying: “To see that family, the way they are there… They are not looking for cameras.
“They are not looking for the VIP seats, they are there to support their family in the most humble way so it’s very beautiful.
“[He is] A special player and a special family.”
It caps off a stellar first season for Bellingham in Madrid.
Bellingham outshines Sancho on the night of his dreams at Wembley
THE very moment Vinicius Junior struck the second goal, Jude Bellingham sank to his knees, stretched out his arms and looked up at the sky, writes Charlie Wyett.
It was the moment that Bellingham had always dreamed of, to win the Champions League. The fact it came at Wembley, on home soil, made it that little sweeter.
Bellingham delivered the pass to Vinicius who scored to ensure that Real Madrid, remarkably, have now been the kings of Europe on 15 occasions.
It was the final kick of the biggest game in Bellingham’s life as he was immediately replaced by Joselu in a tactical switch by Carlo Ancelotti.
With no Premier League teams involved, this was an English duel between Bellingham and Jadon Sancho. The west midlands v south London. Stourbridge versus Kennington.
It is obvious which of the two former team-mates won this scrap, although Sancho’s team should have put Real out of sight by half-time.
Ultimately, neither Englishmen had particularly dazzling games.
Sancho, on loan from Manchester United, started brightly and gave Real left-back Ferland Mendy a few uneasy moments.
Yet this was nothing like the performances he delivered against PSG to help his team to the final.
Instead, with three minutes remaining of normal time, Sancho was replaced by another Englishman, teenager Jamie Bynoe-Gittens.
There was to be no drama. Bellingham added this Euro title to his La Liga winner’s medal. Not forgetting he has also been voted as the La Liga player of the year.
Bellingham, featuring in his 42nd game of the season for Real, was unable to make much of an impact in his role wide left.
On the hour mark, he had touched the ball 35 times but had done little with it.
With the scores at 0-0, he somehow failed to score with a header when he was unable to make contact with a cross from Vinicius. Any touch and it would have been a goal.
By then, the keyboard warriors were out in force on social media, dishing out some laughable criticism of England’s greatest talent. Potentially, our greatest ever player.
Yet the inevitable happened and Dortmund were left to curse those missed chances.
A mistake by Sancho led to a Madrid corner and Dani Carvajal leapt highest to head them into the lead.
Bellingham had another chance but it was deflected wide by Nico Schlotterbeck.
But, with seven minutes left, he helped stick the knife in to help Vinicius score and ensure this is an evening he will never forget.
In the crowd were his dad Mark, mum Denise and brother Jobe, who got into the stadium five hours early
Bellingham’s mum was in tears as her son stepped up to get his medal. And let’s all hope Bellingham will be lifting another trophy in Berlin on July 14.
The midfielder scored 23 times and assisted 13 in his 42 appearances this club season.
He added another to the tally tonight, as he assisted Vinicius Jr’s goal, which made it 2-0 to Real Madrid.
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It leaves his trophy tally for the season at: One champions league, a LaLiga title and a Spanish Super Cup.
His only previous trophy came in the 2020/21 season when he played for tonight’s opponents, Borussia Dortmund.
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.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
