Jude Bellingham, the England and Real Madrid midfielder, has explained why he becomes so emotional during the national anthem, saying it brings him back to his late grandfather. In comments published in the English media, Bellingham said his grandfather died just before his England debut and was the main source of the deep patriotism he feels when wearing the national shirt.
“He was a true patriot, English through and through, who knew every detail about every war, battle, king or queen. When that moment comes, I think about him,” Bellingham said. He added that the anthem is not just a routine pre-match ritual for him, but a moment to understand what representing England really means.
Bellingham made his England debut on 12 November 2020, at age 17, coming off the bench in the second half of a 3-0 friendly win over Ireland. He said the anthem is “the last opportunity you have before the match to really thank the people who helped you get to this point.”
The midfielder also said he thinks about his family’s role in his success, especially his mother, father and brother Jobe. “My brother has always been a constant, stable support system for me,” he said. He described the anthem as a short moment of reflection and connection to his roots before stepping onto the pitch.
