Jude Bellingham says his football career won't be motivated by money as the Borussia Dortmund midfielder revealed his admiration for Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
England international Bellingham shone in the Three Lions' 6-2 hammering of Iran on Monday at the World Cup, turning in an all-action performance in the centre of the park while also getting on the scoresheet with a superb first-half header.
The Dortmund starlet's performances during his time in the Bundesliga have seen him linked to a big-money move away from Westfalenstadion with Liverpool regularly named in connection with the 19-year-old.
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Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is a known admirer of Bellingham's talents, and the speculation has intensified in recent months after a summer move for Aurelien Tchouameni fell flat when the Monaco star opted to join Real Madrid. Despite the interest, however, Liverpool are likely to face stern competition for Bellingham's signature if the midfielder decides it is the time to leave BVB before the start of next season.
In a chat with England's official YouTube channel on Tuesday, the teenager explained how finances are not a motivating factor for him as he opened up on how his father, Mark, is his inspiration.
"Who inspired me? My dad played a lot of Saturday league, so obviously non-league football and I used to go a lot to watch him play and I just loved going to see him," Bellingham told host Josh Denzel. "I watched him play and he scored a lot. I always liked the way he always made other people happy.
"I would sit in the stands and people would always talk about the goals he scored, this goal or that goal against this team and that was always nice to hear, you know. Beyond the money and all of that rubbish, that's the feeling I want from football. I want to win as much as possible and make people enjoy watching me and hopefully, I am doing that.
"What advice would I give my younger self? Just to keep smiling, keep listening and keep trying to be better every day. They are the three things I take into football. When I am a bit angry, a bit tense or a bit frustrated, I feel a little bit disconnected from the game at times. When I am happy, there's a time to be serious and you can always manage the two but when I am at peace and chilled, that's the time when you see a side that is more free on the pitch.
"Keep listening. I had people around me like Mike Dodds, Christian Speakman, Karl Hooper, Steve Spooner, these guys from the Birmingham City academy. And all the coaches and managers I've had since, these guys know what they are doing and know how to make players. So, I'd tell myself just to keep listening.
"You can always get better, I challenge myself every day to be a better football player, whether it is in the gym, the pitch or diet-wise, anything like that. It's just about doing as much as possible to be as best you can."
Later in the Q&A session with supporters, Bellingham was asked to name two former England players he would most like to have played alongside.
The Three Lions international added: "That's such a top question, but probably Stevie G! Steven Gerrard. Only two did you say? Ah man! Probably Wayne Rooney."
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