Jude Bellingham, the rising star of Real Madrid, has expressed his excitement for the upcoming Champions League final against his former club, Borussia Dortmund. This highly anticipated match at Wembley Stadium is a dream come true for the 20-year-old midfielder, who has been in impeccable form throughout the season, scoring 19 league goals and leading Madrid to the LaLiga title.
Despite the emotional significance of facing his old team in such a prestigious final, Bellingham remains grounded and focused on the task at hand. During Madrid’s pre-final media day, he emphasized the importance of treating this match like any other game. “It’s definitely special,” Bellingham stated, “But I think the preparation has to be the same as it is for every game… It’s important to be me, and not to worry too much about the emotional side.”
Bellingham’s journey to the Champions League final is a testament to his ambition and hard work. He acknowledged the element of luck that played a part in his success but also emphasized the importance of dreaming big. “I’ve always thought to dream as big as possible,” he expressed, “It’s a feeling I’ve always had growing up, that I wanted to play right at the highest level. I’ve worked hard, but there’s a lot of luck involved as well. I don’t shy away from saying how fortunate I’ve been. Now I’m here, I want to enjoy every moment.”
Both Bellingham and his teammate, Vinícius Júnior, have been touted as potential Ballon d’Or candidates if Madrid secures victory in the Champions League final. Vinícius, in a display of humility and camaraderie, voiced his support for veteran midfielder Toni Kroos to receive the award in his final season. “I’d take winning the [Champions League] final, winning the Copa América [with Brazil] and the Ballon d’Or for Toni,” Vinícius declared, highlighting the importance of honoring Kroos in his last game for the team.
Vinícius, who has been a standout performer for Madrid this season, reflected on the challenges he faced, particularly due to early injury setbacks. Despite the difficulties, he viewed his injuries as a catalyst for growth and improvement. “At first it was very difficult with my injury,” Vinícius shared, “But you have to take the good from the bad. My injury made me a better player. I’ve had time to train, to watch games. It’s been difficult, but I prepared my head to go into the second half of the season. From January, I had to be at my best.”
The journey of Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior to the Champions League final is a story of ambition, perseverance, and camaraderie. As they gear up for the showdown against Borussia Dortmund, they embody the spirit of determination and teamwork that defines the pursuit of footballing glory. Their individual paths, marked by challenges and triumphs, converge on the grand stage of Wembley, where they aim to etch their names in footballing history.
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