Jude Bellingham will wear the No. 5 shirt at Real Madrid after completing his move to the Bernabéu from Borussia Dortmund.
Bellingham, 19, is set to follow in the footsteps of former Real Madrid player and manager Zinedine Zidane with the shirt number. The Champions League and World Cup winner donned the 5 shirt during his successful spell with Los Blancos despite being a creative, attacking player.
Madrid defender Jesús Vallejo had owned the No. 5 at Madrid, but Bellingham has revealed that he spoke to the Spanish player regarding taking the shirt number. “I’m thankful to Vallejo, we talked and he didn’t mind,” the England midfielder said during his official unveiling. “He is a great guy. I am very grateful.”
“I really admire Zidane, his legacy at this club… now I have his number. But I am different. It’s a number that inspires me. 22 has been my number for a long time, but now I’ll wear the 5.”
Other Madrid players who have worn the number over the years include Argentine midfielder Fernando Redondo, Manolo Sanchís, former captain Fernando Hierro, José Antonio Camacho and current Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane.
Goyo Benito, José Santamaría, Pirri, Joaquín Oliva, Ignacio Zoco, Fernando Gago and Fabio Cannavaro also owned the number during their spells in the Spanish capital.
Kieran Quaile | GSFN
