The shirt number of Real Madrid icon Zinedine Zidane has been given to new Real Madrid recruit Jude Bellingham.
The 19-year-old England midfielder officially signed a €103 million (£88 million/$110 million) transfer from Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, ending months of speculation that had featured Manchester City and, more significantly, Liverpool.
However, it has been speculated for several weeks that Bellingham would join Real Madrid, with his formal unveiling on Thursday confirming his shirt number for the upcoming season – the iconic No.5 worn by Zidane during his five years at the club.
Bellingham will almost sure to be trying to follow in the footsteps of the Frenchman, who won league, European, and domestic cup titles with Los Blancos. However, the England international will be joining a midfield already loaded with world superstars, both young and old, meaning he will face stiff competition for positions in his new home.
Bellingham, though, batted down parallels to the 1998 Ballon d’Or winner, telling a press conference: “I’m not trying to be the same as him. I’m just trying to be Jude. It’s definitely a bit of homage as to how great he was. As far as the 22 is concerned, it’s the number I’ve worn and means a lot to me. In my heart, I’m still a 22 but just wearing a 5 on the back. Right now I’m really happy to be given this honour of wearing this number.”
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However, the move is significant for Madrid, as president Florentino Perez begins to build his next generation of Galacticos. After recovering from a knee injury that kept him out of Dortmund’s season finale, Bellingham will be able to make his impact in that club.
