‘Bellingham has developed that big-game energy, that swagger, that attitude at Real Madrid and belongs with the best players in the world – he’s incredible’ Former Ballon d'Or winner talks Jude

By
published

Former England and Real Madrid player Michael Owen believes Real Madrid have turned Bellingham into a world beater

Real Madrid's jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring against Osasuna in LaLiga in October 2023.
One of the first demonstrations of the now famous celebration established by Jude Bellingham last season (Image credit: Getty Images)

Jude Bellingham carries the sort of swagger that only the world's greatest possess. That's the belief of former Liverpool, Real Madrid and England striker Michael Owen, who's was stunned to see just how quickly the midfielder adapted to life in the Spanish capital last season, following his transfer from Borussia Dortmund. 

The Birmingham City youth product’s debut campaign, in which he sometimes operated in what was near enough an unfamiliar false nine role, brought 23 goals and 13 assists in all competitions.

Highlights included late winners in both of the Clasico league fixtures against Barcelona and collecting the Kopa Trophy for the world’s best young player at the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony. In May, his manager, Carlo Ancelotti, dubbed the Englishman “the best in the world”. 

VIDEO How Lee Carsley Has ALREADY Fixed England

“Jude quickly elevated himself into one of the world’s great players, for club and country,” Owen told FourFourTwo. “At Real, he has developed that big-game energy, that swagger, that attitude. We saw it for England at Euro 2024 as well."

Bellingham was key as England reached the final in Germany, scoring in the Three Lions' opening-game win against Serbia before hitting an injury-time equaliser against Slovakia in the round of 16. Owen feels the pressure to perform at Real Madrid has been key to unlocking the youngster's big-game energy. 

"Playing for a club like Real Madrid isn’t easy when all eyes are on you and every poor performance is pounced upon; if you can respond to that and stay at the highest level, then you belong with the best in the world. He’s incredible.”

Real Madrid's English midfielder Jude Bellingham speaks on stage as he recieves with the Kopa Trophy for best under-21 player during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on October 30, 2023.

(Image credit: FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

More Jude Bellingham stories

Ballon d'Or 2024 power rankings: Jude Bellingham up against Real Madrid teammates

Ballon d'Or: What is the Kopa Trophy?

EA Sports FC 25: The top 25 men's gold players ranked

Ed McCambridge
Ed McCambridge
Staff Writer

Ed is a staff writer at FourFourTwo, working across the magazine and website. A German speaker, he’s been working as a football reporter in Berlin since 2015, predominantly covering the Bundesliga and Germany's national team. Favourite FFT features include an exclusive interview with Jude Bellingham following the youngster’s move to Borussia Dortmund in 2020, a history of the Berlin Derby since the fall of the Wall and a celebration of Kevin Keegan’s playing career.