Jude Bellingham World Cup success is no surprise… he was a star at college too, says his former tutor

Jude Bellingham’s starring role at the World Cup is no surprise to his former college tutor, who has described how he achieved top grades while juggling his fledgling football career.

The midfield star, 19, achieved a BTEC in sport and performance at Loughborough College in Leicestershire while initially playing for Birmingham City, before moving to Borussia Dortmund in Germany — where he continued his studies via distance learning and passed with flying colours.

He excelled as England won on Sunday, providing the assist for Jordan Henderson’s opening goal and producing a star performance as he ripped through Senegal with a series of powerful runs.

England training - Behind the scenes

Now former tutor Jason Ramsay has told how Bellingham’s maturity was there to be seen at a young age as he excelled as both a student and player.

Mr Ramsay, who teaches elite and professional sport, said: “Jude studied with Loughborough College through various parts of his football career. Even though his sporting responsibilities got more demanding, he still managed to stay ahead of his college work and achieve excellent grades.”

He told how Bellingham joined the college aged 16 but — much like his performances on the pitch — showed attributes far beyond his years.

Mr Ramsay added: “Jude’s time management and organisation was put to the test once he moved to Dortmund. With that move came more responsibilities such as Champions League and senior international football.

“Even with this, Jude still managed to complete his diploma via our long-distance learning programme, achieving an excellent grade. Throughout the last few years he has managed his college, football and the weight of expectation on him excellently. This is a credit to the maturity levels he has shown since the age of 16.”

Bellingham joined Borussia Dortmund aged 17 and has been one of the standout players in the top tier of German football. He has taken that form into the World Cup, scoring his first senior international goal in England’s 6-2 demolition of Iran.

“On Saturday he will be up against the likes of Kylian Mbappe as England face France in the quarter-final. But after his performance against Senegal, teammate Phil Foden predicted Bellingham, from Stourbridge in the West Midlands, will be “the best midfielder in the world”.