For the World Cup quarter-final wey dey happen for Florida on Saturday, all eyes dey on two young stars: Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland. Dem bin be teammates for Borussia Dortmund from 2020 to 2022, and now dem go face each other as England and Norway fight for semi-final spot.
Di friendship between Bellingham and Haaland don become big topic for social media. Fans dey share videos of Haaland acting as bodyguard for Bellingham, and Bellingham even kiss Haaland cheek for post-match interview. Dis kind of positive masculinity dey rare for men’s football, where sexism and abuse still plenty.
Bellingham arrive Dortmund for July 2020, just after turn 17. Di club send three cars to pick am and im family – one for dem, two as decoy to confuse waiting journalists. Im debut come for September 2020 against Duisburg, and im score. Teammate Thorgan Hazard bin say: “He is only 17, but he plays like a man.”
Haaland bin join Dortmund for January 2020, seven months before Bellingham. Both players dey similar mindset and aim. During dia two years together, dem help Dortmund win 2021 German Cup, beating RB Leipzig for final. Dem play 63 matches together, with Bellingham assist seven of Haaland goals.
After Haaland move to Manchester City for 2022 and Bellingham go Real Madrid for 2023, dem don meet for Champions League. But dis time, e be international level – first time dem go face off for country. Di match don generate plenty hype, with tabloids and gossip mags dey yarn about dia friendship.
Di bond between Bellingham and Haaland no be surprise, as dem born 130 miles apart and just under three years difference. Haaland move back to Norway when im three, after im papa Alfie retire. Both players debut for Dortmund around same time, and dem quickly become stars.
For Dortmund, Haaland bin dey brutal with imself, while Bellingham sometimes dey call out teammates. Dem still stay in touch after Haaland leave, and for early 2024, rumours say Bellingham dey try convince Haaland to join am for Real Madrid, but Haaland extend im deal with City.
Di World Cup quarter-final go be big test for both. For Norway, dis be dia first time reach this stage, while England dey hope to go far. Fans dey expect plenty action, but di rivalry go be more jovial than di one between Messi and Ronaldo.
