Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham has picture with young fan

The whole district was shocked to see Jude Bellingham in Manningham on Saturday afternoon.

The midfielder, who almost dragged his nation to Euros glory this summer, was at Valley Parade watching younger brother Jobe play for Sunderland against French giants Olympique Marseille.

Bellingham was watching brother Jobe play for Sunderland at Valley Parade yesterday (Image: Bradford City) Simon Rhodes, of Eccleshill, attended the pre-season friendly alongside two-year-old son Archie.

The 30-year-old put Archie in a Real Madrid 'Bellingham 5' home strip in the hope of capturing a picture with Jobe.

Turns out, Simon and Archie, who was only attending his second-ever football match, got the "next best thing".

The Real Madrid midfielder was in Manningham this weekend. (Image: PA)

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, Mr Rhodes said: "I didn't expect to see him at all.

"He was stood outside the turnstiles and we were trying to sort our ticket out.

"When he got near the stairs I took a picture of him and he looked back, pointing over at us.

Archie in his Bellingham Real Madrid kit (Image: Simon Rhodes) "He waved us over and saw my little lad had the Real Madrid kit on with Bellingham on the back and wanted to get a picture.

"I bought it for him last week. I was hoping to go down and get a picture of his brother who plays for Sunderland.

"Instead we got the next best thing."

Bellingham noticed Archie was in a Real Madrid 'Bellingham 5' home strip (Image: Simon Rhodes) He added: "I chatted to him (Jude) for two minutes. He told me he had seen number five on the shorts and had to get a quick picture.

"I told him we had tried to get a picture with your brother because we didn't think you would be here and he just started laughing."

Sunderland drew 2-2 with Marseille at Valley Parade (Image: Newsquest) Still only 21, Bellingham was shot into the limelight following a big-money move to Madrid last summer.

The Stourbridge-born footballer bagged over 20 goals in his debut season before helping the Three Lions reach the Euro 2024 final in Berlin which ended in defeat to the hands of Spain.

His influential role in that tournament run has led to many tipping Bellingham to become England captain one day.

The England star helped his country reach the Euro 2024 final (Image: PA) Mr Rhodes is keen to ensure Archie remembers the rare meeting when he is older.

"We are getting the picture framed for him," he said.

"They were not really doing pictures, I think they were in a rush so it was great he pointed us out.

It was only Archie's second football match (Image: Simon Rhodes) "I don't think he (Archie) knew what was going on. He is only two.

"I was just gutted we didn't have a pen so he could have signed the shirt to him.

"You just don't think you are going to bump into someone like that."