The midfielder was one of the kids in Birmingham City's academy fighting over the No10 shirt when youth coach Mike Dodds had an ingenious solution.
"We think you can be a 22," he told a young Bellingham.
Dodds saw Bellingham as a complete midfielder, capable of playing No4, No8 and No10. Four plus eight plus 10 add up to make 22 - and give Bellingham a number he has made his own.
Bellingham is expected to start Monday's Group B opener against Iran. Just 19, he has the potential to announce himself on the biggest stage like Paul Gascoigne did at Italia 90.
He is set to become the first English teenager selected to start the opening match of a World Cup since Raheem Sterling in 2014.
Like Sterling, who is likely to win his 80th cap against Iran, Bellingham plans to stick around for some time.
The Borussia Dortmund star started England's last two matches, against Italy and Germany in September, and forced his way into the team to play alongside Declan Rice.
The pair will operate as a 'double pivot', helping to build attacks while also breaking up opposition attacks.
It is a more withdrawn role than Bellingham has for Dortmund, but Rice will give him licence to run with and without the ball to get involved in attacks.
Denne historien er fra November 16, 2022-utgaven av Evening Standard.
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Denne historien er fra November 16, 2022-utgaven av Evening Standard.
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