Jude Bellingham’s lookalike competition has officially crowned the England star’s dead ringer, ahead of the World Cup semi-final this evening.
And no, it wasn’t Bellingham’s younger brother Jobe.
After a string of high-profile lookalike competitions two years ago – most notably one in Timothée Chalamet’s honour attended by the Oscar nominee himself – the viral, in-person event returned this week.
Bellingham, 23, became the latest celebrity to be honoured with a lookalike competition, at Boxpark in Shoreditch.
A slew of Bellingham lookalikes pitched up to Shoreditch High Street on Wednesday afternoon, before an eager crowd.
Each took it in turn to have their moment on stage, with some showing off their keepy-uppies and others copying the midfielder’s wide-armed celebration.
The honour of the nearest Bellingham lookalike was awarded to Marcus, who shook hands with a convincing Erling Haaland doppelganger in acceptance.
To top off the award ceremony under the sun, the crowd broke out in a chorus of Bellingham’s World Cup calling card, Hey Jude, to mark the occasion.
Marcus was the recipient of a vinyl of The Beatles hits as well as a £1,966 Deliveroo voucher, in a nod to the last (and only) time England triumphed at the World Cup.
Signs advertising the lookalike competition popped up this week, promising free drinks and prizes at the east London spot, which has been a hugely popular drinking hole for the tournament matches.
England are hoping to put an end to the 60 years of hurt this week, with the semi-final clash on Wednesday against historic rivals Argentina.
The eyes of the footballing world will be on Atlanta as Lionel Messi and co attempt to pip England to a spot in the final against Spain.
Security has been increased for what is sure to be a fiery face-off between two countries with a deep history on and off the field, given lingering political tensions over the Falkland Islands as well as Argentina’s contentious 1986 World Cup win.
Bellingham will no doubt be hoping to add to a sparkling track record this summer, which has seen his World Cup goal tally rise to six, after a 2-1 brace against Norway in the quarter-final.