𝖑𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖗𝖙

What was your favorite stadium to play in during the World Cup? We've got some crazy stadiums in the US. @jcdebellingham

that you do, mate. and I enjoyed being in every one I could. but my favorite would have to be mexico city stadium where we faced the opposition on their home turf. everything about that match was top notch. one of the many highlights of my world cup journey.

Jude: indeed, mate. indeed.

look i respect the whole "played for england in the literal world cup" thing; that's very serious and impressive, and i'm not being sarcastic at all. but i need someone to set up a foreign exchange program immediately. we fly some premier league guys to oz, send some afl players to europe, and just let chaos happen. because some afl players — and i'm looking directly at curnow here — desperately need to learn what a dribble kick into goal looks like. just basic foot-to-ball coordination in the forward fifty. meanwhile some of your football guys could benefit from learning how to punch a ball out of the air instead of heading it, because honestly trading heads for fists seems like a workplace safety upgrade. i want cross-cultural match reports. i want an afl guy trying to take a throw-in and accidentally handballing it into the crowd. someone make this happen before i start a petition.

just when I thought I understood the assignment of said theory, I am once again proven wrong by your chaotic thoughts. cultural exchange? sure, seems like fun. but there is no way in hell you'll convince anyone who plays proper footy that punching a ball with their fists is an alternative method to heading the damn thing upon contact. have you no shame?! is it the australian in you that forgets to have it? if so, then perhaps I can forgive you for the trangession. and more importantly, the audacity of words.

Jude: come monday, it's going to be the former for me. any word when you're back in munich?

what's your 'i'm definitely not losing this' activity outside of football? i have a strange suspicion that most footballers are secretly competitive when they're not playing on the pitch.

that suspicion you have? you'd be right to trust it. competitiveness is in a footballer's dna. that's what makes us so good at what we do. so, if I had to choose, I'd say swimming. lots of beaches here in madrid, I make the most of them when I can. what about you? what hobbies are you good at? besides singing and dance?

#whoa

Jude: same here, mate. won't be long until I'm back at training camp. so, I'm squeezing out the very last of my vacation.

I get that, I can’t imagine leaving and coming back to your country with a medal. The amount of pride you must feel. I think that might be why I tear up while watching the olympics, like aw, you work so hard and now your country’s gonna celebrate you when you get back. You should feel good about yourself win or lose - so silly to say, I know, but getting that far alone is amazing! Wow, I hate that and sorry you guys had to deal with that. But I agree. Once I saw our first loss I immediately said nope, I can’t watch this, I refuse. Ah, so I see who’s the problem child. Spain vs England in the finale would’ve been fun, at least for the fans. Barcelona gave me my own personalized jersey though, so I fear there’s bias there for me.

never in my wildest dreams did I think people would welcome me with open arms as they have after this world cup. there no words to describe the feeling, no matter how often I try. you're crying, I'm crying, everyone's crying. it's an emotional moment, for sure. for the athletes playing and the people watching them. I am proud, really. carrying my head high and all. and this is only the start of the bellingham era. next world cup, you won't even recognize me. it's a shame considering the people involved but it is what it is. and despite the ugliness, a lot of good happened also. like undiscovered talents making the world catch notice of them; no matter the age, experience, or country. I don't blame you. it's an adrenaline rush like no other. and definitely not for the faint of heart. you and the rest of the world. I suppose this is why people enjoyed our match against france. it represented what football is all about. you wound me, luv. you wound me.

Jude: it's a classic for a reason.

jude: just a regular part of life, eh?