JUDE KEEPS IT REAL

Family guy Bellingham has world at his feet but remains grounded

- JOHN CROSS

JUDE BELLINGHAM has not only become a European champion he has also found the fuel to drive him to glory.

At 20, Bellingham has won the Champions League, La Liga and been voted La Liga's Player of the Year.

And if he does not win the Ballon d'Or for this season, then it is just a matter of time before he lands the coveted individual prize.

The Real Madrid star is destined to become the best player in the world after a career-defining night at Wembley when he crowned it all by lifting the European Cup.

Afterwards on the pitch, he talked about proving people wrong and sending a message to the doubters.

"You go through life with people telling you that you can't do things," he said.

That is all fine and good because Bellingham clearly uses it as motivation. It fuels the drive which pushes him to success.

But let's be clear: No one in their right mind doubts Bellingham.

Every big side wanted to sign him even before he was a teenager - and yet he stayed loyal to his boyhood club, to his roots, and listened to the best advice possible from his family.