Jude Victor William Bellingham is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for La Liga club Real Madrid and the England national team. Considered one of the best players in the world, he is known for his technical abilities, vision and finishing. In 2023, he won both major awards for male footballers aged under 21: the Golden Boy, for nominees playing in Europe over the last calendar year, and the Kopa Trophy, for the world's best over the previous season.
Bellingham in 2024 Laureus World Sports Awards
Bellingham with Birmingham City in 2019
Bellingham playing for Borussia Dortmund in 2020
Playing for England at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
In the sport of association football, a midfielder is an outfield position which plays primarily in the middle of the pitch. Midfielders may play an exclusively defensive role, breaking up attacks, and are in that case known as defensive midfielders. As central midfielders often go across boundaries, with mobility and passing ability, they are often referred to as deep-lying midfielders, play-makers, box-to-box midfielders, or holding midfielders. There are also attacking midfielders with limited defensive assignments.
Former Spain midfielder Xavi was voted to the FIFPro World XI six years in a row.
A hardworking box-to-box midfielder, Steven Gerrard has been lauded for his effectiveness both offensively and defensively; and his ability to make late runs from behind into the penalty area.
A wide midfielder, David Beckham was lauded for his range of passing, vision, crossing ability and bending free-kicks, which enabled him to create chances for teammates or score goals.
Spain holding midfielder Sergio Busquets (16, red) moves to block a shot from Italian striker Mario Balotelli.