​The Jude Bellingham Show. A World Cup body of work that, even by the Real Madrid midfielder’s lofty standards, has been as mesmerising as we’ve seen in an England shirt in recent major tournaments. It seems ludicrous now to think there was even a debate about whether Bellingham would be in England’s World Cup team at all. Bellingham has emerged as one of the stars of England’s march to the World Cup semi-finals and has arguably been one of the tournament’s best players. Six goals, including a brilliant double against Norway in the quarter-finals, plus an excellent assist for Harry Kane’s goal in the 2-0 win over Panama, have England’s supporters serenading the 23-year-old here in the USA. Yet Bellingham appears to be taking it all in his stride. Of course, he is used to the adulation. It is no surprise that he has reached the position he’s in today—his ascent was forecast by those in the game when he burst onto the scene in 2019. Here, BBC Sport charts Bellingham’s rise. He made his debut for his hometown club Birmingham City at the age of 16 years and 38 days in August 2019, becoming the Blues’ youngest ever player and breaking Trevor Francis’ long-standing record from 1970. A Premier League scouting report from that game suggested the midfielder’s talent was obvious from the start, noting his “great athleticism, long legs, graceful running and work-rate.” But it was Bellingham’s technical prowess that truly captured the scout’s attention—his ability to carry the ball away from pressure, to find space by driving between the lines or pulling wide. The report urged the undisclosed Premier League club to sign him immediately, loan him out, and then bring him into their senior squad in 18 months’ time. Before long, Bellingham was on the move—not to the Premier League, but to Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth £20.7 million. When he left, Birmingham City retired his number 22 shirt, the young talent having played only 44 times for the club. Birmingham City, however, knew what they had nurtured. Everyone in English football was beginning to realise the magnitude of his potential. Germany quickly took note as well, with Bellingham scoring on his Dortmund debut by netting the second goal in a 5-0 German Cup victory over Duisburg. “He’s just wonderful”: the pride of Bellingham’s hometown. England prepared for the open-air Miami heat, while Norway then seemed to hold the edge? It didn’t take long for Sir Gareth Southgate, England’s manager at the time, to take notice. Bellingham, having played only 11 matches for Dortmund and still just 17, was fast-tracked into the senior national side, making his debut as a late substitute in a 3-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in November 2020. The clamour for Bellingham to become a regular for Southgate grew louder with every brilliant display in Germany’s domestic league. Yet Southgate kept him to just three substitute appearances in the early days, a decision that would come under scrutiny as his star continued to rise.