Jude Bellingham was back in Birmingham on Saturday, and he made it clear that despite living in Spain, his heart remains firmly in the West Midlands. The 23-year-old England and Real Madrid midfielder was cheered by the crowd at Edgbaston Cricket Club as he watched Birmingham Phoenix secure their first win in The Hundred women's competition, a 12-run victory over Welsh Fire.
Bellingham, born in Stourbridge, had earlier purchased a 1.2 per cent stake in the Phoenix franchise, and his presence at the game drew attention when he appeared on the big screen. The cheers that followed reflected the affection the city holds for one of its most famous sporting sons, who recently delivered an outstanding performance at the World Cup.
What Bellingham said about Birmingham
In a video posted online by the club, Bellingham spoke warmly about his upbringing and the values he learned in Birmingham. He said: "It's the values that you take from Birmingham for me. I always felt like Birmingham was a place where everyone wanted to see everyone do well."
"It was a place where I was lucky enough to grow up and people would push you to want to be the best. It wasn't like other areas that I've been to where it's very cutthroat and a bit ruthless, and I just find that everyone cares for one another."
The Real Madrid star, who moved to Germany at 17 and later to Spain, explained how he carries those lessons with him. "So that's one of the main values that I try and take with me now I go to, when I've been to Germany, now in Spain, and all over the world to play. I want to show people, show the world where I come from, is an amazing place with amazing values."
A proud Brummie on the world stage
Bellingham also acknowledged his occasional mistakes with a touch of humility, adding: "Sometimes I get it wrong and that's part of being a Brummie as well I suppose. And don't ever take things too seriously I think." He stressed the honour of representing his hometown internationally: "For me it's a huge honour to represent Birmingham on the world stage and it's something that I don't take lightly and want to keep doing in the right way so my people back home are proud of me."
His journey from local junior football to global stardom is well known. Bellingham began at Stourbridge Juniors, a club founded by his father Mark, who worked as a police officer. He then joined Birmingham City's academy as an under-eight and progressed through the ranks to become the club's youngest first-team player at just 16 years old.
After a single breakthrough season with the Blues, he moved to German club Borussia Dortmund, where he developed into one of Europe's most sought-after midfielders. In 2023, Real Madrid signed him in a deal worth €103m (£88.5m), making him one of the most expensive English players in history.
A hero's welcome at Edgbaston
Saturday's appearance was a homecoming for Bellingham, who enjoyed watching the Phoenix women's team claim their first victory in the competition. The crowd's reaction underscored the deep bond between the player and his hometown, a connection he clearly values despite living abroad.
His comments about Birmingham's communal spirit have resonated with fans, who see him as an ambassador for the city. As he continues to shine for club and country, Bellingham's words serve as a reminder that no matter how far he travels, his roots in the West Midlands remain a source of pride and identity.
