‘So much harder than it looks’ – Jude Bellingham blind ranks icons for new Topps Chrome set
Ranking legends of football is never an easy task; that’s without doing it blind like Jude Bellingham.
To celebrate the launch of Topps’ latest UCC Chrome product, the Real Madrid hero was handed 10 icons to order.
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Bellingham gave the blind ranking his best shotCredit: ToppsHowever, unlike on the pitch where he has the vision to pick a pass, this time he wasn’t able to see who was coming his way.
The new Chrome set has a host of legends to collect, alongside modern heroes like Bellingham himself, Erling Haaland, as well as wonderkids Lamine Yamal, Lucas Bergvall and Ethan Nwaneri.
But this was all about greatness as he tried his best to pick the right ranking.
The England midfielder’s first pick was Juventus icon Alessandro Del Piero, who he put in at No.8 but swiftly he realised just how tricky it was going to be.
READ MORE ON JUDE Bellingham”Feel like I’ve messed this up,” joked the Champions League winner as Frank Lampard appeared next and was slotted in at No.7.
Kaka and Michael Ballack were next up before Cristiano Ronaldo arrived and swiftly got given the No.1 spot.
Sergio Aguero and Steven Gerrard filled out another two spaces before Lionel Messi arrived, with Bellingham appearing to panic.
With Ronaldo in top spot, Messi got second place with Zidane and Ibrahimovic getting the last two slots of fifth and tenth, respectively.
“That’s so much harder than it looks,” admitted Bellingham.
“I’m very unhappy with that you know,” he added.
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The latest Chrome set has even got autographed Sir Alex Ferguson cardsCredit: ToppsBellingham is the star of Topps’ launch starring in another promo where he declares: “You know you’ve made it… when you get to hold all of them in your hands.”
Patrick Rausch, Chief Marketing Officer EMEA of Fanatics Collectibles, commented: “With the European finals fast approaching, anticipation among collectors is already sky-high.
“Jude Bellingham brings that excitement to life perfectly in our new campaign. This year’s Topps Chrome UCC set celebrates the legends of European football, the stars of tomorrow, and everything fans love about the beautiful game.”
The new Chrome set sees Topps continuing to innovate as they release the product on the back of the opening of the Fanatics Collectibles store in London.
The Regent Street venue has already proved a hit in ‘The Hobby’ as trading card collectors flood through the doors which was opened by Formula 1 icon Lewis Hamilton.
The venue hosted a launch event for the new product with fans creators mingling and hitting some big pulls.
Collector Olly Tyler was seriously impressed by some of the new designs.
He told talkSPORT.com: “They look so nice, especially the Black Lazer auto – I got one of Archie Gray. It’s his rookie year so it could eventually be worth a lot of money.
“I like the colour matches too, I got Lucas Bergvall to 150 and the blues suits him. So nice. The glint of the refractors too.
“And when you see a one of one, like the Lewis Hamilton one we saw, it’s so in your face. So cool.”
And Olly’s father Dan told talkSPORT.com just how big an impact the store is having.
He said: “It’s fantastic. It shows you what’s happening – it really is the Home of the Hobby like they say.
“Obviously it’s bigger in the US but in Europe you can learn all about it now – and on Regent Street too, it’s an unbelievable setting.
“Michael Rubin (Fanatics founder) – what a guy he is. He’s next level doing this stuff.
“If you’re a collector it’s great to be a part of.”
Those at the event were also treated to a talk about what goes on behind the scenes to make a set like Chrome.
And Dan was impressed by lengths gone to as they create the product.
He added: “Listening to all the details was fascinating.
Read More on talkSPORT”Hearing about the whiteboarding and what goes into making it is incredible.”
Fans can potentially pick up a whole host of stunning cards, including quad autographs – signed by four players – while they can also find the first ever autographs from legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
