Bellingham jersey number dilemma in Real Madrid

Jude Bellingham, the new Real Madrid player. The white club has paid out more than 100 million plus bonus percentage (some reliable votes estimate 30% more), depending on the achievements of the England midfielder.

Since making his Birmingham debut at the age of 16 in a Carabao Cup match against Portsmouth, Bellingham has always worn the number 22 shirt.

It was Mike Dodsum, one of his former Birmingham Academy coaches, who explained why Judd wears number 22 in an interview with The Athletic: “One day he told me he wanted to be number 10. I replied: ‘I think you could be number 22.’”

He added, “Jude was surprised and asked me what that number meant. I answered him again: “You can be No. 4, you can be No. 8 and you can also be No. 10. Someone who does everything: the person who starts the play, the player who breaks the lines, the person who reaches the area and can also score.” The sum of the three numbers (4, 8, and 10) equals 22…”

Since then he has always worn that number. Whether in Birmingham City, in Borussia Dortmund, or in the England national team: it was the number he wore at the last World Cup in Qatar, where he was the leading scorer in the World Championships.

But it will be more difficult at Real Madrid: Antonio Rudiger has worn No. 22 since last season. In recent days, Vinicius has inherited the number 7 (worn by Hazard), and Rodrygo 11 (worn by Asensio). There is number 9 available (worn by Benzema) and number 24, which was worn by Mariano Diaz.

Source: As