“Yeah of course. Come on England. It’s coming home,”
echoed through the streets of Shoreditch, east London, as fans gathered for a unique lookalike competition on Wednesday. A dozen young men, all bearing a vague resemblance to the talented England midfielder, took to the stage in an event that paralleled the competitive spirit of the ongoing tournament in the US.
For ardent supporters wishing to replicate the success of their favorite player, this contest provided a whimsical glimpse into a future where Bellingham’s prowess could be mirrored. With six goals in six matches, the chance to see another player like him in England’s midfield seemed enticing.
As England prepared to face Argentina in the semi-finals later that day, attendees enjoyed a lively atmosphere filled with influencers and fans alike, all while waiting to unwind at nearby pubs.
The winner of the contest was set to receive a £1,966 Deliveroo voucher, a nod to the long wait since England last lifted the World Cup trophy six decades ago.
Could this year mark a change in fortune? The lookalikes remained optimistic. “I was in the local area and thought, why not?” exclaimed 19-year-old Zane Proctor, a university student from Manchester who discovered the event via Instagram. “I feel like he’s a really good idol,”
Although he acknowledged he might not have been the closest doppelganger, Proctor, a devoted Bellingham admirer, expressed his enthusiasm for participating. “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.” he said. “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, found himself at the event by chance, despite receiving compliments on his resemblance to the star during his month-long stay in Britain. “So I just walked up and now l am here, I guess.” said Mian, who is residing in nearby Brick Lane. “Yeah, but it’s normally just drunk people in the pub,”
Bellingham has a near duplicate in the form of his younger brother Jobe, who has followed a similar career path, playing for Birmingham City, Borussia Dortmund, and England’s Under-16s. To avoid confusion, Jobe even has his first name printed on his shirt instead of the family name.
Unfortunately, Jobe Bellingham was absent from the competition in Shoreditch. Instead, the title of lookalike champion was bestowed upon 24-year-old Marcus Legemah, a master’s student at University College London, who received a lukewarm cheer from the crowd.
“More since Jude has been playing well. So this tournament, it’s happened.” Legemah said when asked if he often hears he resembles Bellingham. “our very own Erling Haaland lookalike”
He was awarded his prize by an Erling Haaland lookalike, prompting playful shouts of “Sadly, apart from looks I don’t think there’s much,” from the audience, referencing the friendly rapport between the two real-life players.
When asked what trait he shared with Bellingham, Legemah remarked, “I’m so excited. Now I can can celebrate the final with some friends, with pizzas and beer.” However, he added that the victory “I think we are going to win. You have to have the confidence. I think it’s coming home.” to him. “I’m so excited. Now I can celebrate the final with some friends, with pizzas and beer.”
On the topic of the World Cup, he expressed 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.”
