The Legacy of Jude Bellingham: A Rising Star in Football

James Maddison’s son proudly dons Real Madrid’s 2025-26 third strip, a luxurious blue adorned with crisp white accents that resonate with the newly installed seating at the refurbished Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The fabric features subtle contours reflecting the stadium’s interior, serving as a quiet homage woven into the garment. Inside the collar lies a phrase steeped in Madrid’s footballing lore: “90 minuti en el Bernabéu son molto longo,” attributed to club legend Juanito, which serves as a warning to opponents: “90 minutes in the Bernabéu feels like a lifetime.”

The kit’s color recalls the 2013-14 season, marking Real Madrid’s historic achievement of La Décima, their tenth European title. With Maddison’s son Leo proudly wearing it, the jersey has found one of its most ardent ambassadors.

Maddison lightheartedly captioned his social media post, “Wise choice, son,” while fellow player Jude Bellingham shared the moment on his own account, commenting, “Leooo😍💙.”

Despite the jovial nature of Maddison’s post, Bellingham’s recent experiences with the national team have been more intense. The Real Madrid midfielder was omitted from England’s October squad while recovering from shoulder surgery, which reignited speculation regarding his temperament as England’s coach Thomas Tuchel aims to foster team harmony ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Tuchel subsequently reinstated him for November fixtures against Serbia and Albania. Bellingham started the latter match but exited without his jersey, having swapped it with Inter Milan’s Kristjan Asllani mid-game, sparking debate over the appropriateness of such a gesture prior to the final whistle.

Former England midfielder Danny Murphy quickly dispelled concerns regarding Bellingham’s character. In a discussion with GOAL, Murphy stated, “The narrative questioning his character seems strange. Whenever I have watched him, he is the standout character on the pitch for England, consistently delivering in critical moments and giving his all.”

Murphy continued, “If you could field 11 Jude Bellinghams, you would win most tournaments. The criticism about his media presence or perceived arrogance only contributes to the player he is on the field. Feedback from teammates, including Jordan Henderson, who praised him, suggests the negative rumors are greatly exaggerated.”

Murphy concluded by asserting that Bellingham’s presence is vital for England’s chances in the World Cup, emphasizing, “He is a phenomenal talent, and as pundits, fans, and media, we should focus on celebrating him rather than tearing him down. He is undeniably a game-changer.”

Bellingham has cemented his status as a key player for England and a talisman at Real Madrid. His influence extends even to young fans, as seen in Maddison’s son’s choice of jersey. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Bellingham will remain central to England’s aspirations, and the surrounding discussions and social media chatter will not alter this reality.