Bellingham Chooses Zidane's Number 5 Shirt at Real Madrid

Jude Bellingham was officially unveiled today and showed off his new number 5 shirt, famously worn by Zinedine Zidane.

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Jun 12, 2023

Bellingham Chooses No. 5 Shirt at Real Madrid

Jude Bellingham was presented as a Real Madrid player today following his transfer from Borussia Dortmund, holding aloft his new jersey for the cameras, with the number 5 printed beneath his name. Many expected him to stick with the number 22, which he wore at Birmingham (who retired the number when he left the club at 17 years old) and Dortmund, as well as for England at the World Cup last year. Instead, Bellingham chose a shirt that is strongly associated with one man at Real Madrid; Zinedine Zidane.

Zidane joined Real from Juventus in 2001 and played out the rest of his career there, winning six trophies, including the 01-02 Champions League, in which he scored one of the greatest cup final goals of all time. Zidane was a truly world class player and so it's no surprise that his identity remains attached to his old shirt number. However, the juxtaposition of the World Cup winner, as elegant a playmaker as there has ever been, choosing a number traditionally reserved for centre backs (typically among the least elegant players on the pitch) makes it even more special.

Zidane and some of Real Madrid's other no. 5s over the years.

Bellingham is a quality midfielder and has been known to play as a defensive midfielder as well as in more attacking roles, so the number 5 is a more natural choice for him than it was for Zidane. The Frenchman is one of the greatest players in history, so it would be a big ask for Bellingham to match his legacy at the club. Still, he'll be hoping at least to fare better than the last man to join Madrid from Dortmund and wear the number 5.

How do you think Bellingham will get on at Real Madrid?? Let us know in the comments.