At his introduction on Thursday in Madrid, Spain, new Real Madrid player Jude Bellingham wore Zidane’s number five jersey out of respect for the club legend.
The 19-year-old England international signed a six-year deal with Real Madrid on Wednesday from Borussia Dortmund for 103 million euros ($112 million).
Bellingham had an interview with Madrid president Florentino Perez in which he discussed his decision to wear the number five jersey.
Antonio Rudiger, a defender for the team, presently wears the number 22; Bellingham has favored that number throughout his career since it is the total of his previous jersey numbers (10, 8, and 4), which speak to his ability to play anywhere in the middle or on the wings.
I’m just trying to be Jude, but it’s obviously a little of a respect to how brilliant he was,” Bellingham said at a press conference, adding, “I’ve spoken in numerous interviews how much I appreciate Zinedine Zidane, the legacy he’s left at the club with this number.”
“The number 22 means a lot to me, and even though I wear the number 5 on my back, in my heart I’m still number 22.”
Although Zidane went on to win three Champions Leagues as Real Madrid’s manager, Bellingham said that wearing the French midfielder’s old jersey wasn’t an attempt to mimic him.
“The (Madrid) shirt itself is enough pressure… for me it’s a bit of an homage to a great player,” Bellingham remarked.
Instead of striving to match his total, maybe I can add to the legacy of the number.
Veteran midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are still at the club, giving Bellingham plenty of role models to study from.
“The things I’ll gain especially from the two older lads, Modric and Kroos, will be unbelievable, with their knowledge of the game,” Bellingham added.
I’m going to soak up all of their resources like a sponge. Most likely I’ll only irritate them more.