Original article from France Football, published in 2023.

"Jude, close your eyes. You're back in Hagley, where you grew up. What was it like?

It was a village, a very quiet place (west of Birmingham, in central England). Some people have very difficult living conditions, others are really privileged; I was kind of in the middle, really. My parents worked very hard so that my brother (Jobe, 18, a midfielder for Sunderland) and I could enjoy life. I don't really remember a day when we weren't playing football, in a park or on a patch of grass outside the house. I only have good memories. It was a form of freedom. I was always really free to do what I wanted. School was fun, it was always about playing, and I enjoyed that. I was a pretty bubbly kid but also a good listener because I wanted to do my best to please my parents so I could do what I wanted, which was play football.

What memories do you have of your family life back then?

With my mum, I used to sit and watch a lot of movies, and that's kind of where, from a cultural point of view—I suppose—I took a lot from her in terms of music, films, fashion. With my dad, it's more the football side. We used to follow him when he played on weekends, and that's where you really feel the raw emotion of the game. I fell in love with it. The relationship with my mum and dad is very close, and it gives me balance. I got a mix from my parents. They had jobs their whole lives before they started managing my career. Then I saw how they handled situations, especially since I turned pro. They do such a good job, with no real experience, and I always wonder how they do it. I admire how they could find themselves in any environment and be the best. And for that, I really think I've inherited it from them.

Is it reassuring to have your family manage your career?

Yes, it's crucial. A lot of players sign with agents who are more interested in money than in the player's best interests. I've never really had to think about it because I've always had my parents to discuss it with. They care about my well-being, and they know that our dreams are all aligned. When you involve agents, there are their own incentives, their desire to make money... For me, it's never about that. I just want to keep the family atmosphere. And it makes for some great dinner table conversations. It can go from a discussion about a movie or something that happened to, "by the way, Real Madrid is interested." (Laughs.)

What do you think of this unique world of football?

There are incredible things that happen in it, beautiful stories, and others that are quite unfortunate, with the agent industry. I've seen some very close people get led in the wrong directions. If you only love football for the game, you will always be rewarded. If you play for the attention and the fame, that's not the right way to go, in my opinion. I always have my family to remind me of that. I never really thought about wanting to become a big star; I just want to be a good footballer. But I'm comfortable in this world. My family surrounds me, and I've never had outsiders come into my life to tell me how I should behave or which brands I should sign with. That would have made me uncomfortable. My parents use their life experiences and what they learn in football to put everything in place. No one knows me better than them and my little brother, so when we know what we want to do, it works.

"At first, I didn't like football. At my dad's training sessions, I would pick daisies for my mum."

Was your dad the local Cristiano? It's said he scored over 700 goals in the lower leagues...

Yeah, he never lets me forget it, to be honest, he talks about it a lot. Even when I score, he always says, "Yeah, but I would have scored three or four more." (He laughs.) It was a pleasure to watch him play. And then, when he scored, he was really good at interacting with people. It was just for the purity of the game, the money didn't matter, and that's something that has been ingrained in me since that time.

When you left primary school, you wrote your dream in a yearbook.

Yeah, to play for England. I've always had that. Growing up, becoming a professional footballer was one of my goals. But when I wrote things like that in school, it was more about getting the lesson over with quickly so I could go play. (He laughs.) I just wanted to play matches day after day, play football, no matter where. Back then, if someone had told me I'd spend three years in Germany and then go to Spain without ever playing in the Premier League, I would have been shocked. As a kid, I wasn't obsessed with football. I went to a lot of my dad's training sessions, but I just enjoyed the games—tag, hide-and-seek... Whenever the football started, I was completely uninterested.

When he took you to his training sessions, were you more interested in picking grass than playing with a ball?

At first, I didn't like football. I know that's incredible because if someone took football away from me now, I'd go crazy. I would go to his sessions and just pick grass and flowers. I'd make a little bouquet of daisies for my mum. My parents never put any pressure on me. My dad kept taking me, but he basically said, you know, if you want to play hide-and-seek or pick flowers, you can. And then, I got hooked... You mentioned freedom, and that's something I had in my childhood. My parents never forced me to do anything as long as I was a good boy and looked after others.

So how did you catch the football bug?

My love for football comes from competition. I've always been very competitive. Even in hide-and-seek. If I was picking flowers, I wanted to pick the best ones. In tag, I wanted to be the fastest. Football became the ultimate outlet for competition. Growing up, I had a lot of problems, especially when I lost. I was a nightmare for other people. I wouldn't want to shake hands. I learned that you have to show respect... It was definitely the competition that made me love the game 100%.

Who were your childhood idols? Your dad, Zidane, Rooney?

I admired the players from Birmingham, the team that won the League Cup at Wembley (2-1 against Arsenal in 2011). My heroes were Seb Larsson, Craig Gardner, Lee Bowyer. As I got more into it myself, Dad was the most important. After that, my first role models were Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, simply because they played in England. And then, as you get older, you start to watch the game. My dad had this fake Zidane shirt he bought on the beach. He wore it everywhere, often at home. One day, I asked, "By the way, who is this guy?" He told me, "Go on YouTube and have a look." Since then, I probably haven't stopped. Zidane represented the player I wanted to be. I was lucky enough to meet him at the Champions League final between Real and Liverpool (1-0, in 2022). I was like a kid, wide-eyed. He is so humble for someone who has achieved so much. He had such a great presence. And, according to the guys who played here under him, he was a great manager. That's just as important.

"My dad had this fake Zidane shirt. One day, I asked: 'Who is this?' He told me: 'Go on YouTube and have a look.'"

Is that why you wanted the number 5 shirt at Madrid?

It's a kind of tribute, for sure. But at the same time, I'm on my own path, and it's almost like taking it and shaping it my own way, making this number what I want it to be: the modern-day number 5 of Real Madrid.

When Birmingham retired your number 22 shirt, what did you think?

I found out the day before the world did. We had a little farewell dinner, my shirt was displayed in the stadium, and they said, "No one will wear it until you come back to Birmingham." I was like this (looks astonished): "Really?" I had a good year (2019-2020), but it wasn't anything extraordinary. I was looking around. "But wait, are we allowed to do that?" It put a bit of pressure on me. But I understand the position and the decision. My transfer (to Dortmund, for around €25 million) saved the club, which was in a difficult situation. That money prevented the club from going under.

How did you go so quickly from "I'm not interested in football" to "I'm one of the biggest prospects for my club and country"?

I've always approached football day by day. I give my best every day in the gym, on the pitch, in recovery, etc. At Birmingham, I learned from the older players around me. I'm always picking up little things from everyone. At Dortmund, it was a new challenge, and everything intensified a bit more. I've always thrived in high-pressure situations. And now, there are a lot of hopes surrounding me, and it's very pleasant to know that I can make so many people happy by being good.

Does football come easy to you?

Let's say it's natural. On the pitch, I feel free, comfortable when I have the ball. I get more tense about external things, like interviews. Even though I have a good feeling right now, here in front of you, I'm a little nervous because I have to think about what I want to say. It's more stressful than the game. With the ball, everything is free and effortless.

Do you ever have doubts?

I don't think I'm arrogant, but I have confidence in my abilities, in my teammates, the staff, my family. And I know I'll always have that support system even when things aren't going so well. I can do good things on a pitch and, if I'm free, I can really express myself. When you play with doubt and worry, that's when you start to lose what makes you special. So, I try to think positively.

Is it difficult to live with the status of a future football star?

Yes, it's a bit annoying to be honest. I want to be recognized for what I'm doing right now, without people thinking, "Oh, but imagine what he'll be like." At this level, you know you don't want to hear about your age anymore, you just want to play. But I guess that's the game and there are so many great young talents right now that people are excited to see what will happen.

Your maturity is often praised. What still makes you a young person today?

It sounds crazy because I'm young (20 years old). (He thinks.) In a dressing room with much older players, you have to grow up faster. But at home, I don't want to try to pretend I'm 28. I don't have the responsibilities of those who are married, have children. With my mum, we watch movies, chat, laugh, mess around, dance. I have my friends over from time to time and I relax, we play games. That helps me stay my age. You journalists, the fans, you only see one part of me, on Saturday at 3 p.m., but there's a lot more to it. I don't want to be too mature all the time. I'm young and I want to enjoy it.

It's said that your mum still makes your bed...

Yeah, no, well, sometimes. (He smiles.) So yes, Hendo (Jordan Henderson) made a bit of fun of it during the World Cup. Everyone was talking about my maturity and he said: "No, he's not that mature, his mum still makes his bed." It was a bit embarrassing. I'm starting to take on more responsibilities at home. It's time.

"When you play with doubt and worry, that's when you start to lose what makes you special."

Still, one might wonder if Pep Guardiola and Rio Ferdinand weren't right when they said they doubted your age...

I've heard that a lot, because of the way I behave on the pitch, how good I am at reacting to situations. The problem is that people put you on a pedestal: "Oh, he's so mature." And then, I make small mistakes, I'm human, I lose my head and people almost say "oh, look, he's not so mature" or "he's still irritable." The truth is that I have that in me. I'm not a robot. I always want to feel that passionate about the game to the point of, sometimes, getting carried away. But I appreciate what people say about me, especially Guardiola and Rio Ferdinand.

You don't want to show us your papers to check?

(He laughs and pretends to search his pockets.) I don't have my passport.

When you first walk into the Real Madrid dressing room and see Modric, Kroos, Courtois, what do you feel?

I'm a little star-struck. I've never really been star-struck before. But when you come here, with the things they've accomplished, it's hard not to think: "Wow, this is the pinnacle of football." For the first few weeks, when I was getting to know them, I would eat next to Toni (Kroos) and I'd be thinking: "Is he eating gold?" And then you realize they're just normal guys, who help you feel comfortable. They are so humble. It's a great lesson for me. No matter how successful you are, no matter what you've won, you can still be a great human being like those guys, who are inspiring as players and as men.

"When I was younger, I wanted my game to be perfect. Now, I understand that's not always possible."

And the first time you put on that white shirt and walk onto the pitch at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium?

It's indescribable.

It's a dream come true. The jersey is so famous. When you have it on, you almost feel like you're in a superhero costume. It's a privilege, an honor. You have to be at a certain level to wear it week after week.

Have you ever been afraid when it comes to football?

No, I can't say that. But honestly, since my debut with Birmingham, I don't think I've ever gone into a match thinking, "Oh, what if this happens?" I'm blessed to have teammates and staff who have always made me feel comfortable. There's also confidence in my own abilities, and besides, football is a game. I don't see it as a job, but rather as a hobby that I get to do every day. What would I rather be doing right now than playing football? Nothing. This is exactly where I want to be. So, why miss the opportunity to show what I can do and enjoy it?

Player Profile

Born June 29, 2003, in Stourbridge, England. Height/Weight: 1.86m / 75kg Position: Midfielder International: England (27 caps, 2 goals) Club Career: Birmingham City (2019-2020), Borussia Dortmund (2020-2023), Real Madrid (since July 2023) 2022-2023 Season: 51 matches, 15 goals, 8 assists Honors: Champions League (2024), UEFA Super Cup (2024), Spanish League (2024), Spanish Super Cup (2024), Intercontinental Cup (2024), DFB-Pokal (2021), Kopa Trophy (2023)

Mike Dodds, one of your former coaches, said: "What set him apart from the other boys was that he wanted to be different." What does it mean to be different?

In the game, it means being someone who can do everything, who you can put in four different positions in a lineup. Like in basketball, the guy who can dribble, dunk, pass, and defend. I've always admired athletes who can do it all. That's what makes players different and special. Mike Dodds instilled that in me from a young age: you can be really good at one thing, or you can work to be exceptional at everything. And I think it's just more useful for the team and more appealing to be like that. Beyond that, my mental approach is quite different from other people my age. That's probably due, once again, to being exposed to high-pressure situations. At 20, I've played in a World Cup and in Champions League knockout matches. And I've always been the guy others turn to, the one they trust. All those experiences have certainly shaped me mentally.

Do you feel that you are unique?

I feel a bit unique sometimes, yeah. Partly because of my age and things like that. People like to remind me how young I am and how sometimes I need to take it easy. Sometimes, you take a minute and think, "What I'm doing is pretty good." But when you take football day by day, with the mindset of "today, I have to be better," you focus more on the negative aspects to improve. That's how I've been wired. I struggled with that when I was younger. I would get very frustrated; I wanted my game to be perfect. Now, I still want it to be perfect, but I understand that's not always possible. You always have to keep learning with the ball, watching the game, and training to get better. It's not going to come to you by getting angry, but by working.

Your ability to adapt is striking. From England to Germany and now Spain, you change worlds, arrive, and immediately light up the screen. What's your secret?

You have to dive in headfirst. You can't just dip a toe in to test the water. You have to throw yourself into the adventure. It's difficult at times, but you have to commit. And you have to keep a level head; I can't get carried away. I have to stay on my path, whether people are speaking well or poorly of me. It's important for your mental health not to listen to all of that, to stay neutral. Every day, I go out and work hard to be the best version of myself, never satisfied with what I have, always wanting more. I've probably progressed faster than expected because, even though I was always sure I could reach this level, I never thought it would all happen so soon. But I don't think about all that. I've never looked back and said, "Wow, look how far you've come." I still have a long way to go.

"I can still be a bit emotional on the pitch. I need to manage that aspect."

What are your current weaknesses?

I can still be a bit emotional on the pitch. I need to manage that aspect. And then, there are always small adjustments in my game, my positioning. Last season, I scored a good number of goals (15 in 51 matches), but at times, I almost felt like I wasn't in the right place at the right time, that I should have been there two seconds earlier. It's something I've changed in my game, and it puts me in a position to be more effective and score even more (14 goals in 14 matches in 2023-2024, including two in the last Clásico, a 2-1 win at Camp Nou). With the help of the coaches, by watching my matches, we can identify these little things, know that it's not perfect, and that there's still a lot to do.

You once said: "I want to win everything, for club and country. I want to do everything in the game. I want to be a football icon, someone who is remembered, someone who changed the game." Is that easy to live up to?

I think I was young when I said that. So, I put a bit of pressure on myself. (Laughs.) I remember that interview; it was my first one. I was a little intimidated by the camera. Now that I've played with icons, I don't think I would say the same thing. The main thing is just to win everything I can.

Speaking of icons, we've seen you play with your tongue out... Are you trying to imitate Michael Jordan?

Yeah, I've been told that before. (Laughs.) I do it naturally, just like that. When I was 7 and writing in school, my tongue was already out. I don't want to be different; it's just natural.

Does becoming an icon also involve taking strong stances on issues beyond football, like racism?

It's something very strong within me, something that people my age might want to avoid because they can be controversial topics. If I were to scroll through what I've received on my phone in the last twenty-four hours, I know I would find racist messages. I have thick skin now, but I've developed my awareness by seeing how it can affect others. I saw it with my own eyes with some of the guys who missed their penalties in the Euro final (Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka were targeted with racist abuse after missing their attempts in the final against Italy, 1-1 a.e.t., 2-3 on penalties, on July 11, 2021). It was really hard to see, very sad. It had a big effect on them. And it happens to people every day. I have a platform, and I want to continue to be loud and speak out to say that this is unacceptable. There was another incident with "Vini" the other day. If you're an important player, you can't stay silent. And I will never be silent.

Do you feel strong enough to be a generational leader?

When you get into the game, you don't think about being a role model; you just think about being a good player. But you have to understand that by being a player who is on TV and in the newspapers every day, you inevitably have an influence, especially on young people, and you have to send the right messages. I was raised with the right values, thanks to my family, so thank you to my parents. It's natural to encourage people to do the right things. As I said, if there's something I care about, I will stand up for it, for the people who don't have the audience I have, to defend their beliefs. I have a platform, and I want to continue to be loud to say that racism is unacceptable.

To conclude, let's do what we did at the beginning: close your eyes. It's five years from now. Where are you? What have you won? What have you become? What do you represent in your sport?

Hopefully, five Champions Leagues, a Euro, and maybe a World Cup. I'm always as optimistic as possible. I don't see the point in playing thinking we're going to lose. You have to go into every competition every year thinking you can win it. Otherwise, what's the point? So it's hard to put an exact number on which titles, how many of this and how many of that. I'd rather just keep doing good things, playing the way I do. In five years, if my family is still healthy and happy, that's the most important thing.

And by then, will you have won a Ballon d'Or?

It would be a great honor. Luka (Modrić), Ronaldo, Zidane (he points to them on the wall), to follow in the footsteps of these players who have won it would be incredible."