Football The unexpected hero vs. the leader of a generation: Dani Olmo and Jude Bellingham seek Euro glory

It was exactly 94:33 minutes when Jude Bellingham bursts in with a goal of the past . England avoided defeat against Slovakia and qualified for the last 16 of the European Cup. With a bicycle kick, at the buzzer, the midfielder sent the match into extra time. There, they were better and advanced to the phase.

The Three Lions are looking to break their spell at continental level, as they have never lifted the crown. They are also hoping to regain glory after 58 years without a title (1966 World Cup). Now, They have a brilliant generation led by the Real Madrid midfielder.

At 21, Bellingham shows his hierarchy and takes center stage . He is in charge of setting up the construction of his team’s game. He measures times and steps in both areas, in a different task than he has with the merengue team, where he has more freedom. Although he has had dull moments, which coincide precisely with the performance of a team that has gone from less to more. Both have not been at their best, but they are one game away from victory.

Against the Netherlands in the semi-finals, he had a quiet performance. He was heavily guarded by the Dutch midfield and was far from reaching the danger zone. He focused more on balance.

“We’re going to get criticism when we don’t play well, but it’s important that we develop that resilience and come together to win those games. “These moments are great, they unite us as a team and as a family. These moments unite us more and now we arrive at the final,” he said after the match.

Bellingham suffered a dislocated left shoulder last November. . In order not to interrupt his good dynamics, he underwent conservative treatment, avoiding the operating room and using protections to play. However, the situation has not yet completely improved.

He felt discomfort along the crown and had to use painkillers to calm the pain, although he did not suffer any other dislocation. At Real Madrid, they do not rule out that he may have to undergo surgery, although it is the last option. This will be determined by the medical services of the merengue club after the tournament. If you undergo surgery, you will have to spend two months in convalescence.

However, for now his focus is on the Euros. The midfielder will have the chance to have a dream season. After signing for the White House, he won a league title, a Super Cup and the Champions League in his first year.

At a young age, he was already one of the most important footballers in the world. . In fact, he is already rubbing shoulders with the best showcases. Between bonuses and goals achieved, Bellingham cost Madrid $140 million, meeting all expectations after what happened at Borussia Dortmund. For their part, the Germans paid $33.6 million to Birmingham, a club in which he made his debut at 16 years and 38 days, being the most premature club in its history. His performance generated such an impact that after playing only 44 games, the English team decided to retire the number 22 shirt in his honor.

Today, he is a world-class figure. In the current season, with Madrid, he has scored 23 goals and provided 13 assists. He is a serious candidate to win the Ballon d’Or. His chances would increase if England beat Spain.

On the front there will be a complex rival. Spain This is undoubtedly the team that played the best in the tournament. They have already beaten defending champions Italy, hosts Germany and runners-up France, all favourites.

The team led by Luis de la Fuente stands out for its strengths. There are almost no weaknesses in a team that has shone. Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Rodri and Fabián Ruiz have played a transcendental role. However, the team has an unexpected hero: Dani Olmo.

The playmaker started the continental competition as a substitute. He started with a secondary role, but little by little he took center stage. This figure has increased considerably since the end of the group stage. He already has three goals and is in the fight to establish himself as the top scorer in the European Cup.

He scored against Georgia in the round of 16, against Germany in the quarter-finals (draw) and against France in the semi-finals (winner). The latter was looking for incredible control in the box, a hook and a powerful strike. A superb goal that could reflect his performance in the tournament.

“For us, it doesn’t matter who scores the goals. We are one step away. It’s incredible. We deserve to be in the final. “, he noted modestly after having beaten the Gauls.

Thus, he becomes the third player in the history of the competition to score goals in three consecutive qualifying matches, after Antoine Griezmann (2016) and Harry Kane (2021). In addition, He is the first Spaniard to score in three consecutive duels and is one score away from equalling David Villa as the Hispanic with the most goals in a single tournament. (2008). He has already imitated what Fernando Torres did (2012), in addition to adding two assists.

The midfielder had only just started against Albania. However, Pedri’s injury against Germany definitely put him in the star line-up. It didn’t come out again and it ended up being decisive.

Born in Terrassa, municipality of Barcelona, ​​and trained at La Masía. At the age of 16, he unexpectedly signed for Dinamo Zagreb, age at which he made his debut in a team in which he quickly established himself as a figure. There, curiously, he shared a locker room with two Chileans: Ángelo Henríquez and Junior Fernandes.

Both of them, along with Argentinian Leonardo Sigali, became friends and played a key role in their stay in the Balkan country: “When you leave Spain, not everything is rosy and in Croatia I understood that. There, I became a man in every sense of the word, on and off the field, and for that, the support of my teammates was vital,” he said a few years ago.

His performances were so high that the Croatian FA considered nationalizing him. But he ruled it out: “My dream has always been to play for Spain,” he told DW some time ago. He was then signed by Leipzig, where he was managed by the current German coach, Julian Nagelsmann. In 107 games, he scored 17 times and provided 24 assists.

In the meantime, in the Eurocup, he has already assumed his leading role. This has given a new spark to Spain. “It doesn’t surprise me at all. I know him very well, I always knew his potential. I am really grateful to you ” assured de la Fuente.

His performance caught the world’s attention . According to the international press, he could soon leave Leipzig, even though he has a contract until 2027. He has a break clause of 65 million dollars and attracts interest from Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Barcelona. His future will be defined after the Euro.