Jude Bellingham has explained his now iconic 'arms out' celebration that he so often does after scoring.
The 20-year-old is at the centre of the attention following his winner in England's Euro 2024 opener last night (16 June) against Serbia, getting on the end of a deflected Bukayo Saka cross to thump a header in with 13 minutes gone.
It was the only goal of the game, getting the Three Lions off to a good start in Group C against a stubborn side.
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Bellingham is the name on everyone's lips, and the latest star-studded Adidas advert titled 'Hey Jude' further enforces the idea that he has become the poster boy of English football.
England's no.10 has had an outstanding debut season at Real Madrid, managing 23 goals and 13 assists in all competitions, winning the La Liga title and Champions League with the Spanish side.
The Los Blancos midfielder is truly England's new Golden Boy, and though he seems to be coping with the pressure just fine, a lot more responsibility comes with being the Three Lions' main man.
A lot of the country's youth will be re-enacting the star's iconic 'arms out' celebration on playgrounds across the nation this summer, with the midfielder already carrying out the now famous celebration after his goal against Serbia on Sunday evening.
It's something he seems to do after every goal, taking in the applause of the crowd with his arms aloft, with several other sportsmen even copying the celebration.
But why does he do it, and where does it come from?
It turns out that the celebration dates back to his time with Birmingham City, the club where he joined the youth ranks as a seven-year-old, making his way to the senior team, where he made his debut aged just 16 years and 38 days in 2019.
Before long, Bellingham had established himself as an outstanding talent in the Championship side, as a big move grew more and more likely.
He scored his first of four goals in the 2019/20 season against Stoke City in August, and followed this up with another goal in a 1-0 win against Charlton Athletic.
The midfielder slotted home from 12 yards out, making the crowd erupt - and for the first time ever, Bellingham stood in front of the travelling Birmingham fans and held his arms aloft.
Though not the phenomenon that it is today, the celebration stuck around with him throughout his career, as he sealed a £25 million move to Borussia Dortmund in 2020 aged 17, before an £87 million move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2023, shortly before his 20th birthday.
He has also spoken out about the celebration, admitting that it was born on that day for Birmingham City, though he is unsure where it came from.
He revealed to RMTV: "The truth is that I don't know exactly where it comes from. I started doing it in Birmingham, and from there I have continued it but there is no reason.
"It is a pride that children imitate me."
Following England's win against Serbia, they sit atop Group C, with their next game against Denmark on Wednesday (20 June) at 5pm.
England fans will be hoping that their star-boy can put in a similar game-winning performance, to secure a place in the knockout stages.
England's remaining Euro 2024 group stage fixtures
Thursday, 20 June - Group C: Denmark vs England (Waldstadion, Frankfurt - kick-off 5pm BST)
Tuesday, 25 June - Group C: England vs Slovenia (RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne - kick-off 8pm BST)
Topics: Euro 2024, Football, Real Madrid, Sport, Jude Bellingham
Joshua Nair