David Beckham Makes Jude Bellingham Feel “A Bit Uglier,” But the Real Madrid Star Is Glad He Met His Hero

Jude Bellingham says meeting David Beckham made him feel “uglier,” but the Real Madrid and England star is glad he ignored the common advice to “never meet your heroes.”

The 21-year-old midfielder admits Beckham left him feeling slightly inferior in the looks department, but he still values the experience and the chance to meet a football icon he has long admired.

WHAT CAME ABOUT?

Beckham, who once captained England and also joined Real Madrid during his playing career, shares a path similar to Bellingham, who moved to the Spanish giants in 2023. Since then, Bellingham has had a standout debut season, scoring 23 goals and winning both La Liga and the Champions League.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Beckham showed appreciation for Bellingham’s performances and even replicated his iconic celebration on social media. Bellingham’s rise was further cemented when he was named the cover star of EAFC 25, where Beckham also appears as an “Icon” card. The two connected as part of EA Sports’ promotional campaign for the game.

WHAT BELLINGHAM SAID

Speaking on his YouTube series “Out of the Floodlights,” Bellingham said, “It’s an honor, you know. People say never meet your heroes, and Beckham is one of mine. But when I met him, I thought, ‘Wow, he’s incredible and seems genuinely nice,’ even with everything he’s achieved. You kind of expect that when you’re on game covers, but next to him, I do feel a bit uglier.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Bellingham also opened up about being on the EA Sports cover: “I’ve played every EA game since I was six or seven. Sitting around a tiny TV with beat-up controllers, facing players you never thought you’d meet—it’s surreal. And now I’m on the cover with those guys. It’s crazy, and I’m really grateful.”