What is the meaning behind Jude Bellingham's celebration? England and Real Madrid superstar shares Birmingham link behind open-arms gesture
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England superstar Jude Bellingham has had much to celebrate in his career already.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a stunning start to life at Real Madrid and is now a key player for the Three Lions as well.
The Golden Boy winner’s hot streak has meant fans have had plenty of opportunities to witness his trademark celebration.
From Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘SIU’ to Lionel Messi‘s point to the sky, unique celebrations are becoming key to building a superstar.
Thankfully for England, Bellingham is already one step ahead, with even Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz copying his move.
What is the meaning behind Bellingham’s celebration?
Bellingham‘s trademark gesture after a goal sees him stand with his arms stretched wide apart, drinking in the cheers from the crowd.
The origins of Bellingham’s celebration – at least in the professional ranks – can be traced back to his days as a teenager at Birmingham.
As a 16-year-old in August 2019, Bellingham became the youngest scorer in the club’s history when he came off the bench to bag the winner in a 2-1 victory against Stoke.
The midfielder celebrated his first professional goal at his boyhood team with a typical knee-slide at St Andrew’s.
However, a fortnight later in his next appearance Bellingham inadvertently birthed a future iconic celebration.
On his full league debut for Blues, an unmarked Bellingham swept home Kerim Mrabti’s cut-back from the penalty spot in a 1-0 win over Charlton.
Birmingham’s number 22 then ran to the jubilant away fans with his arms out wide, stopped in front of them and thus a legend was born.
Bellingham’s rise from the Championship to Borussia Dortmund and now Madrid means he’s been inevitably quizzed on the meaning behind it.
But the man himself admitted to RMTV: “The truth is that I don’t know exactly where it comes from.
“I started doing it in Birmingham, and from there, I have continued it but there is no reason.”
He added: “It is a pride that children imitate me.”
Does Bellingham have a new celebration?
Bellingham debuted a new celebration after scoring England's winner against Serbia in their opening Euro 2024 tie.
He and Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrated the goal with a reference to Werewolf, a card game played by the squad.
The game involved deceit and strategy and is based on the classic Mafia created by Dimitry Davidoff in 1986.
Bellingham said: "When we play Wolf, one of the staff loves that face when he doesn’t have a clue what is going on so that was a little group celebration for the Wolf crew.
"It was more of a celebration for the backroom staff who put in so much work every day, and they won’t receive any awards like this or have the moments we get to have on the pitch.
"But we value them so much and it is important going through the tournament we keep that atmosphere."
It has been reported that the celebration was to honour England photographer Eddie Keogh.
However, after scoring an incredible last-gasp overhead kick against Slovakia in the last-16, Bellingham resorted to his old favourite.
The Three Lions were heading out of Euro 2024 until Bellingham popped up with that extraordinary strike, and they went on to win 2-1.
He immediately ran to the fans, held his arms a loft and shouted ‘who else’.
Strangely, he has yet to get off the mark for Real Madrid this season, while his only goal was an equaliser for England against Greece near the end of the game, so he didn’t celebrate, meaning we have no idea if the arms raised is back for good or if he has something else in store.
