Bellingham celebrates ‘best night of my life’ in Real Madrid’s win in Champions League final
Bellingham celebrates ‘best night of my life’ in Real Madrid’s win in Champions League final
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham celebrates at the end of the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. Real Madrid won 2-0. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham bites his medal walking by the trophy after winning the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham fails to score during the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham waves as he is substituted during the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, right, hugs Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho at the end of the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. Real Madrid won 2-0. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, right, is congratulated by Jude Bellingham after scoring his side’s 2nd goal during the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham celebrates at the end of the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. Real Madrid won 2-0. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham celebrates at the end of the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. Real Madrid won 2-0. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham celebrates at the end of the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. Real Madrid won 2-0. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham bites his medal walking by the trophy after winning the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham bites his medal walking by the trophy after winning the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham fails to score during the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham fails to score during the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham waves as he is substituted during the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham waves as he is substituted during the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, right, hugs Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho at the end of the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. Real Madrid won 2-0. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, right, hugs Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho at the end of the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. Real Madrid won 2-0. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, right, is congratulated by Jude Bellingham after scoring his side’s 2nd goal during the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, right, is congratulated by Jude Bellingham after scoring his side’s 2nd goal during the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham celebrates at the end of the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. Real Madrid won 2-0. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham celebrates at the end of the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. Real Madrid won 2-0. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
LONDON (AP) — Jude Bellingham’s parents arrived early at Wembley Stadium.
When your son is about to complete a dream season, you don’t want to miss a thing.
In his first Champions League final on Saturday, the Real Madrid star received a standing ovation from the Spanish team’s fans when he was subbed off late in the 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund, Bellingham’s former club.
“I can’t have dreamed it much better than this,” Bellingham told TNT Sports on the field moments after the final whistle.
The 20-year-old attacking midfielder got emotional talking about his parents Denise and Mark and their commitment to his career, recalling them “doing trips at 11, 12 at night” to take him to and from soccer games and practices.
“I was alright until I saw my mum and dad’s face there,” he said.
Madrid fans serenaded Bellingham with a version of “Hey Jude.” He is becoming the face of the team even as reports indicate France star Kylian Mbappé is on his way to the Bernabeu next season.
Bellingham was the La Liga player of the season and his emergence is good timing for England, as well, as it heads into the European Championship two weeks from now.
The England star played three seasons at Dortmund and transferred to Madrid last summer for a fee that could reach $139 million.
He credited veterans Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos — multiple Champions League winners — with giving him a boost of confidence.
“They were a big part of my feeling before the game to be fair,” Bellingham said. “When I was alone in my room I was thinking to myself and not as confident but you come down to dinner and they are playing cards, chatting, looking relaxed. Then you start to feel relaxed and settle into it. Champions of Europe, can’t get any better than that.”
“They always said to me to enjoy the first one.”
Bellingham passed up a shot early in the second half on Saturday and threatened to score in the 78th from close range but a defender tipped his shot wide.
No worries, it’s safe to say he’ll have more opportunities on the biggest stages.
“I can’t put it into words — best night of my life.”
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