Bellingham desires to pay ‘homage’ to Zidane with Real shirt quantity
The 19-year-old was formally introduced as a Real participant on Thursday, after signing from Borussia Dortmund for a payment that would rise to £115million as he put pen to paper on a six-year deal.
Bellingham spoke of his pleasure at becoming a member of “the greatest football club in the history of the game”, insisting cash was by no means an element for him as he thought-about his choices earlier than opting to make the transfer to Spain.
The teenager has beforehand worn the No22 shirt, one he adopted as a youth participant on account of with the ability to play the quantity 4, eight and ten roles in midfield, however Bellingham has opted for a change at Real.
He could have the quantity 5 on his again, a shirt made iconic by Zidane throughout his time in Spain, after Bellingham had a dialog with Jesus Vallejo, who was beforehand in possession of it.
“For a start, I’d like to thank Jesus Vallejo for letting me wear the No5,” Bellingham stated at his presentation.
“I had some contact with him, just to see if it was ok with him, and he was a brilliant guy in letting me wear it and just being so nice about. I’m very grateful to him.
“I’ve said how much I admire Zinedine Zidane, the legacy he has in the club. With this number, I’m not trying to be the same as him, I’m just trying to be Jude. But it’s definitely a bit of homage to how great he was.
“As far as the 22 is concerned, it’s the number I’ve worn, it’s the number that has a lot of meaning to me and in my heart I’m still a 22. But just wearing five on the back and we’ll see how what happens in the future.
“Right now, I’m really happy to be given this honour of wearing that number.”
Real have been linked with numerous different big signings this summer season, significantly after Karim Benzema’s transfer to Saudi Arabia left a void to be crammed up entrance.
Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe have each been raised as potential targets, and Bellingham was requested about the potential for his England captain becoming a member of him in Madrid.
“As far as the Harry Kane rumours, I can’t comment on that,” he stated.
“He’s a world class player, he’s my captain for the national team. I love him as a player and as a person. Whatever happens there happens but it is not really for me to comment about.”