The England international made his senior debut at Birmingham City at just 16 years old. His remarkable potential soon caught the eye of Borussia Dortmund, and in the summer of 2023, he transferred to Real Madrid in a deal worth nine figures.
Bellingham had a sensational first season in Spain, scoring 23 goals in all competitions and playing a crucial role in Real Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League victories. His outstanding performance earned him both the Kopa Trophy and the Golden Boy award.
There has been speculation about Bellingham winning the Ballon d’Or in the future. Ancelotti, when asked about the 20-year-old’s impact at Real Madrid, told reporters: “It was a surprise, but the merit is in his genetics. At only 21 years old he has shown character and great passion, and he also has genetics in his favour. The champion is a champion because of his genetics, training certainly helps, but above all it’s about genetics.”
Bellingham continued to impress with moments of brilliance for England at Euro 2024, including a spectacular overhead kick that helped them reach another final. However, he faced some challenges with consistency in the tournament and hopes to start the 2024-25 season strong after a well-deserved break.