Gathering in Shoreditch, east London, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement as fans chanted, “Yeah of course. Come on England. It’s coming home,” This was not a typical match day; instead, it marked a unique lookalike competition featuring young men who bore a resemblance to the England football star.
For supporters of the English national team dreaming of replicating their dynamic striker, the event offered a whimsical insight into a future where a clone of Bellingham could bolster the midfield. With six goals in as many matches, the prospect of another player with his prowess seemed appealing.
As the competition unfolded just hours before England’s semi-final clash against Argentina in Atlanta, it served as a colorful distraction filled with influencers capturing moments on their phones, engaging in light-hearted fun before heading to nearby pubs for a night of revelry.
The winner of this extraordinary event received a Deliveroo voucher worth £1,966—a nod to the lengthy wait since England last lifted the World Cup trophy six decades ago.
Could this year mark a turning point for the national team? The participants were optimistic. “I was in the local area and thought, why not?” declared Zane Proctor, a 19-year-old university student from Manchester who learned about the contest via Instagram. “I feel like he’s a really good idol,”
While he acknowledged he might not have been the spitting image of Bellingham, his admiration for the player drove him to participate. “He is criticised a lot by the media, and I feel like his response to the media is very inspirational for young and upcoming players. So beyond the football, beyond all the goals, I feel he is a really good ambassador for all the young people who look like me, and not even that look like me, to all the young kids that watch on TV. I feel like he is a really good person to look to.” Proctor shared. “I had to come to the station anyway, and some people told me I had to go [to the competition],”
Gabriel Mian, a 20-year-old from Orlando, had serendipitously discovered the event while studying in Britain. “So I just walked up and now l am here, I guess.” he explained, having heard compliments about his resemblance to the player throughout his stay. “Yeah, but it’s normally just drunk people in the pub,”
Interestingly, Jude Bellingham has a younger brother, Jobe, who at 20 years old is also making waves in the football world, having played for Birmingham City and Borussia Dortmund, along with England’s Under 16s. To avoid confusion, he chooses to wear his first name on his jersey.
Unfortunately, Jobe Bellingham was not present at the event. Instead, Marcus Legemah, a 24-year-old master’s student at University College London, claimed the title of lookalike champion, albeit to a modest cheer from the crowd.
When asked if he often hears he resembles Bellingham, Legemah responded, “More since Jude has been playing well. So this tournament, it’s happened.”
He received his prize from a fellow contestant who was dressed as Erling Haaland, drawing light-hearted cheers of “our very own Erling Haaland lookalike”—a nod to the friendly camaraderie between the two football stars.
Reflecting on the characteristics he shares with Bellingham, Legemah remarked, “Sadly, apart from looks I don’t think there’s much,” However, the victory was significant for him. “I’m so excited. Now I can can celebrate the final with some friends, with pizzas and beer.”
As for predictions regarding the World Cup victor, he exuded confidence reminiscent of England’s No. 10. “I think we are going to win. You have to have the confidence. I think it’s coming home.”
