![WONDERBOY](https://cdn.magzter.com/1387283000/1691065323/articles/OqH4t7jXE1691141936927/WONDERBOY.jpg)
If there was a moment when Real Madrid developed an irresistible urge to sign England midfielder Jude Bellingham, it might have occurred in October of last year, when the teenage engine-room all-rounder – only 19 at the time – produced a man-of-the-match display for Borussia Dortmund in a 4-1 victory at Sevilla in the Champions League group phase.
That night, Bellingham bestrode proceedings at the Sanchez Pizjuan like a colossus, pressing with fire and brimstone, constantly breaking into advanced areas and generally setting a fine skipper’s example, filling in for the unavailable Marco Reus and Mats Hummels. The highlights of his evening’s work? Undoubtedly the part he played in Dortmund’s first two goals: a superbly struck cross-field ball paving the way for Raphael Guerreiro to scamper on and fire home, then going on a jinking mission in the inside-left channel before adroitly applying a cool finish.
Any new Real Madrid player has to be able to handle the weighty demands of the Champions League, and Bellingham certainly met that criteria with Dortmund last season. Not only was he the team’s top scorer in the competition with four goals in seven starts, he imperiously ran the show in the middle of the park, a spectacular mix of the physical, technical and cerebral.
Victorious in 11 Champions League matches for Dortmund over three seasons, Bellingham is currently the only BVB professional in history to have achieved as many wins at the UEFA top table while still a teenager.
This story is from the August 2023 edition of World Soccer.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2023 edition of World Soccer.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Never Say Never Again](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5163/1603859/WWCt0wPfa1708591714421/crp_NEVER-SAY-NEVER-AGAIN.jpg)
Never Say Never Again
Bayer Leverkusen are determined to shake off their tag of perennial runners-up
![The Last Days Of Roma](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5163/1603859/s_DteCcbC1708592279448/crp_THE-LAST-DAYS-OF-ROMA.jpg)
The Last Days Of Roma
How Jose Mourinho's time in the Italian capital came to an end
![Opponents then friends: Beckenbauer and Cruyff](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5163/1603859/3vr6mT_ZK1708596731833/OPPONENTS-THEN-FRIENDS-BECKENBAUER-AND-CRUYFF.jpg)
Opponents then friends: Beckenbauer and Cruyff
Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff’s relationship defined an era of football
![THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5163/1603859/ZoeaSY2-I1708596509194/THE-FIVEYEAR-PLAN.jpg)
THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN
RB Leipzig's as successful strategy to build a women's team as their men's is right on schedule
![New-look Ulsan ready to defend title](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5163/1603859/u5SUAqUlL1708596424323/NEWLOOK-ULSAN-READY-TO-DEFEND-TITLE.jpg)
New-look Ulsan ready to defend title
The reigning K-League champions have rebranded since last season and are the team to beat yet again in 2024
![Messi set for MLS spotlight](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5163/1603859/ydGe-FtzH1708593523511/MESSI-SET-FOR-MLS-SPOTLIGHT.jpg)
Messi set for MLS spotlight
The Argentine and his Inter Miami team-mates will dominate the MLS headlines in a big year for North American football
![Champions League knockout rounds begin](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5163/1603859/wnS7mPOcw1708592531407/CHAMPIONS-LEAGUE-KNOCKOUT-ROUNDS-BEGIN.jpg)
Champions League knockout rounds begin
The last 16 has already begun, with the quarter-finals soon to follow
![Hannes Halldorsson](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5163/1603859/24CBeSDda1708592073945/HANNES-HALLDORSSON.jpg)
Hannes Halldorsson
The former Iceland goalkeeper looks back on his proudest moment in football
![CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2023-24 KNOCKOUT ROUND PREVIEW](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5163/1603859/g4Wi1XxQU1708590532605/CHAMPIONS-LEAGUE-202324-KNOCKOUT-ROUND-PREVIEW.jpg)
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2023-24 KNOCKOUT ROUND PREVIEW
Turn over now for Nick Bidwell's comprehensive team-by-team guide
![Ventforet Kofu](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5163/1603859/TDS4HDU1h1708590285526/VENTFORET-KOFU.jpg)
Ventforet Kofu
Japanese second-tier side advance to Asian Champions League knockout rounds with a second-string team