Jude Bellingham to take iconic shirt number if he completes Real Madrid transfer - Reports
Real Madrid could hand Jude Bellingham the iconic No. 7 shirt if he moves to the Santiago Bernabeu, as per Spanish outlet El Mundo. The English teenager is Los Blancos' top transfer target and looks set to join Carlo Ancelotti's side.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that talks between Bellingham's side Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid are in the final stages. The midfielder has already agreed on personal terms with Los Merengues on a deal that will him join on a six-year contract. Bellingham will follow in the footsteps of some of the most legendary players in Madrid history, should he be handed the No. 7.
None more so than Cristiano Ronaldo who broke records while donning the iconic kit number. He bagged 450 goals in 438 appearances during his time at the Bernabeu, winning four Champions League trophies. The Portuguese legend is the club's all-time top goalscorer and won four Ballons d'Or awards at the Bernabeu.
Another Madrid icon who wore the No. 7 shirt during his time with Los Merengues was Raul. The iconic Spanish striker scored 323 goals in 741 games, winning the Champions League thrice and the La Liga six times.
Emilio Butragueño is another Real Madrid hero who took the No. 7 shirt during his years in the Spanish capital. The legendary attacker bagged 168 goals in 451 appearances, winning the Spanish title six times. Kopa and Amancio are other legends who have donned the iconic shirt for Los Blancos.
The No. 7 jersey is vacated currently after Eden Hazard was released by Real Madrid. The Belgian failed to impress with the iconic number during his four years with Ancelotti's side.
Jude Bellingham, meanwhile, has made history with Dortmund this season becoming the youngest captain in Bundesliga history. He also became the youngest skipper to score in the Champions League. The English teenager made 42 appearances across competitions, scoring 14 goals and providing seven assists.
Real Madrid-target Jude Bellingham reacts to being named as Bundesliga's Player of the Season
Jude Bellingham picked up the Bundesliga Player of the Season award following his superb campaign at Signal Iduna Park. The English midfielder was instrumental in propelling Dortmund into a title race with Bayern Munich.
He chipped in with 13 goal contributions in 31 league games but ended up on the losing side in the title race with Bayern. BvB drew 2-2 with Mainz in the last game of the season. They needed a win to secure the title, but the Bavarians finsihed ahead of them on goal difference following a last-gasp 2-1 win over Koln.
Bellingham alluded to that when accepting his award for the Bundesliga Player of the Season, writing on Instagram:
"Bittersweet. Means close to nothing to me without the championship. Nevertheless, just wanted to thank all the players and fans that voted and also for supporting me this season."
He added:
"Lastly, it’s impossible for me to perform without the help of my brilliant teammates! Time to recover physically and mentally to be ready for next season."
Jude Bellingham sat on the bench during the defeat to Mainz. A knee issue prevented him from trying to turn the title race back in Dortmund's favour. He now looks set to join Real Madrid as the Bundesliga Player of the Season.