Why Jude Bellingham's Zinedine Zidane Shirt Number Choice at Real Madrid Has Fans Buzzing

Jude Bellingham exuded confidence and professionalism at his unveiling press conference, dressed in a smart dark suit and tie. Even as he received his new No 5 shirt, his parents, visibly proud yet nervous, watched on. If his performance on the pitch matches his impressive demeanor off it, Bellingham is sure to excel at Real Madrid.

The gathered media, including a strong presence from the local press, were immediately struck by Bellingham's self-assured, relaxed, and confident demeanor as he took the stage. Positioned to his left were executives from Real Madrid, who initially appeared on edge and tense upon his entrance. However, in less than two minutes, Bellingham had effortlessly commanded the room and put the executives at ease, as evidenced by one of them leaning against the wall with a relieved smile.

He effortlessly took on the task of donning the legendary No 5 shirt at Real Madrid, previously worn by the iconic Zinedine Zidane. He gracefully dismissed any inquiries about the pressure associated with it and instead expressed his excitement at the chance to further the legacy of the shirt by building upon the accomplishments of his predecessor. Despite being cognizant of the weight of wearing the No 5 jersey, Bellingham remains grounded and connected to his roots, stating, "While I am now a number five, deep down, I'll always be 22!"

Bellingham evaded the question on the significance of being the seventh British player to play for Real Madrid and his desire for an eighth player, Harry Kane, to join him. Instead, he expressed his admiration for Kane's skills and shared his enjoyment of playing with him for England.

Regarding the possibility of Kane's transfer to Spain, Bellingham remained noncommittal. When asked about playing with Kylian Mbappe, he deflected the question but hinted, "Who wouldn't want to play with Mbappe?" However, before delving into those topics, Bellingham was asked the most obvious question of the day - why Real Madrid? His response won over the local press and media who were present at the club's training ground.

He provided a multitude of reasons why it would be a no-brainer to refuse an offer to play for Real Madrid. Bellingham recounted his own negative experiences and those of his parents with the club, in addition to highlighting the impressive manner in which Dortmund treated him. It was clear to everyone that Bellingham was fully committed to joining Madrid and no other club stood a chance.

He said the money wasn't an issue in response to a question that he could've earned more by playing in the Premier League. Bellingham wasn't tempted by that.

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Jude Bellingham undergoes medical checks at Real Madrid.

He came to Real Madrid with the intention of learning and developing, and even referred to himself as a sponge, eager to absorb knowledge from players like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. Bellingham's impressive first impression at the club bodes well for his future there.

Where will Bellingham fit in at Real Madrid?

During Bellingham's impressive performance at the World Cup with England, his talent was recognized by Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti. According to the Italian, Bellingham is one of the best young midfielders in the world, but Ancelotti remains loyal to his own talented group of youngsters.

The fact that Real Madrid has a rich history in the midfield position serves as a reminder that Bellingham, who is highly sought-after in this summer's transfer window, has competition for a spot in the starting line-up. The question remains: where exactly does Bellingham fit in?

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