Jude Bellingham is one of world football's biggest names in 2025. Complimented by his immense talent, it did not take long for the central midfielder to become a household name in just five years.

At just 16 years old, Bellingham made his senior debut for Birmingham in an EFL Cup first round tie against Portsmouth. He became the youngest Birmingham City player in history. Within one year, he caught the eye of major European clubs, such as Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.

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At the time, then United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer entrusted the help of Sir Alex Ferguson to woo Bellingham and his camp, giving them a guided tour of the facilities at Old Trafford. The Red Devils even went as far as submitting a £30million bid for Bellingham in 2020, but the midfielder snubbed United in favour of a move to the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund.

Upon Bellingham's departure, Birmingham decided to retire the number 22 shirt as an ode to Bellingham, which was a gesture that was infamously mocked at the time. Bellingham would spend three years in Germany, developing at an immense rate as a leader and presence in the Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League.