Childhood indifference to the beautiful game<\/p>\n
In a surprising revelation regarding his early years, Bellingham has admitted that he was not always enamoured with the sport that has made him a global icon. Despite now being a cornerstone of the Madrid midfield, the 23-year-old explained that he initially actively avoided the pitch during his younger days in Stourbridge. The physical nature of the game and the competitive environment were apparently major turn-offs for the future Ballon d’Or contender.<\/p>\n
“In as soon as football appeared, I wasn\u2019t interested. I didn’t want to be kicked, I didn’t want to kick anyone; I just wanted to be left alone. I started to get interested when my brother wanted to play,” he told Vogue magazine<\/a> as quoted by Cadena SER<\/a>. This late spark eventually led him to Birmingham City\u2019s academy, setting off a meteoric rise that took him to Borussia Dortmund and eventually to the hallowed turf of the Santiago Bernabeu.<\/p>\n Managing the pressure of elite performance<\/p>\n Beyond his early years, the England international spoke candidly about the psychological demands of playing for the world\u2019s most successful club. Following a debut season in Spain where he helped Los Blancos secure a Champions League and La Liga double, Bellingham admitted that the relentless expectations began to weigh heavily on his mental well-being. He highlighted the importance of seeking professional support to navigate these high-stakes environments.<\/p>\n “I felt like, at times, last season completely consumed me and made me very tense and stressed. I started talking to someone who helped me a lot with that and with how to manage those kinds of situations,” Bellingham confessed.<\/p>\n Life away from the Bernabeu spotlight<\/p>\n Despite his status as a footballing heavyweight, Bellingham is quick to point out that he is still a young man learning the ropes of adulthood. He believes that fans often place footballers on a pedestal, creating an image that does not always reflect the reality of their daily lives. The midfielder expressed a desire to be perceived as an individual first and an athlete second, especially in the era of social media scrutiny.<\/p>\n “I think that sometimes fans idealize players and I don’t want them to see me like that. I prefer they see me as a human being first,” he stated. Highlighting his own lack of domestic skills, he added: “I feel mature in the football field, but, to be honest, in life I don’t feel that mature. I don’t know how to cook, I don’t know how to drive…”<\/p>\n Being a role model for the next generation<\/p>\n While he may struggle with basic chores, Bellingham is acutely aware of his influence on younger supporters across the globe. He views his position not as a burden, but as an opportunity to demonstrate character and respect. Whether representing England at a World Cup or competing in El Clasico, he remains focused on maintaining a level of decorum that transcends his technical ability with the ball.<\/p>\n “Whether you like it or not, the next generation looks up to you. I prefer to see it as a privilege. I have always said that, off the pitch, I want to be a gentleman,” Bellingham noted.<\/p>\n I started my career in journalism in 2000, mainly covering legal matters, crime, politics and social issues at first. However, amidst that work, I always looked to cover sports activities as well, particularly football, a sport I have loved and played since childhood.<\/p>\n In 2002, I joined Harian Terbit focusing on general sports coverage, before eventually moving to GOAL in 2009, which allowed my love for football to be properly unleashed.\u00a0<\/p>\n Fields of expertise Indonesian players abroad<\/p>\n International football<\/p>\n Unforgettable moment<\/p>\n Witnessing the final six major Persirakatan matches at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium Jakarta when PSMS Medan faced Persib Bandung and Persebaya Surabaya faced PSM Makassar in 1986 as a child. Besides the feeling of happiness with the atmosphere created in the stadium, there was also a feeling of fear, as many objects were thrown from above.<\/p>\n
Premier League and LaLiga<\/p>\n