For highly rated young American players, there are many important milestones that generate excitement. Signing homegrown deals, professional debuts, first U.S. national team call-up, earning a transfer to a top European league, and winning silverware are all important moments.
But there are tough moments and times when players fall out of the spotlight. Some players, even ones with full national team caps, never recover from tough times. Uly Llanez and Owen Otasowie are two examples of young players capped by the U.S. team in the Berhalter-era who are not currently playing.
Then there are players whose rough times look likely to derail their careers, yet they reestablish their reputations, out of the spotlight.
George Bello is still not far removed from his 22nd birthday last January, but he already has quite a story.
Highly regarded out of the Atlanta United academy, Bello was one of the top young American left-back prospects of his generation. He made a U-17 World Cup team in 2019, in 2021 he was an MLS All-Star. That summer, he played for the full U.S. national team as it won the Gold Cup. He also earned minutes in World Cup qualifying.
At the club level, he earned a transfer to Arminia Bielefeld in the Bundesliga and would make his European debut in one of the world’s top leagues.
But then there were tough times. His minutes with Arminia Bielefeld would become inconsistent and the club was relegated out of the Bundesliga at the end of the 2021-22 season. The following season in 2022-23, it was relegated again, this time out of the 2. Bundesliga. During Bielefeld’s tailspin, Bello dropped out of the national team pool.
Last summer, Bello begun taking the steps of finding a place where he could play regularly again and he found the opportunity at LASK in the Austrian Bundesliga. Signing for LASK also gave him a chance to play in the Europa League by virtue of a third-place finish in 2022-23.
After an initial adjustment period, Bello eventually locked down the starting left back position at LASK. He finished the season with 22 starts in the Austrian Bundesliga, five starts in the Europa League, and two in the Austrian Cup.
“Every league has its own personality,” Bello said. “Austrian Bundesliga is a good football. Sometimes it’s a fight, pretty similar to the second division in Germany. Obviously has its own characteristics. All in all, a league with solid football, where you can compete and show yourself.”
There were plenty of highlights. He made a start at Anfield against Liverpool and he had arguably his best game in a 3-1 win over defending champion Red Bull Salzburg – which was pivotal in the title race as Salzburg was dethroned by Strum Graz by two points. In that game, Bello assisted on the winning goal. LASK would again finish third and qualify for European competition again.
“Definitely playing at Anfield was a massive experience,” Bello said. “Making my debut in the Europa League has been great as well, but also the wins against Salzburg have been huge, especially since they are one of the great clubs in Austria. At the end I am happy with the season and hope we can keep getting better and keep going up from here.”
For Bello, the season was a major step forward in his development. The years at Arminia Bielefeld were difficult, but Bello insists he grew from the experiences in Germany because it made him tougher. Now, the journey at LASK was about him implementing what he learned in Germany and transferring those lessons into a winning environment for a team that can compete in Europe.
“Bielefeld made me grow mentally,” Bello said. “I didn’t get that much playing time but my mind got stronger. This is also a big part of football. I have learned a lot so far here at LASK and I want to continue with that.”
“Bielefeld was a difficult time,” he added. “But this is football sometimes, highs and lows. It grew me stronger mentally and I am still thankful for my time in Bielefeld. Moving here was a big step. Trying to get my feet back together. There is still a lot to work on, but it’s a step in the right direction.”
Bello has not been with the U.S. team since the end of World Cup qualifying in March 2022 but with him now on the field again, he hopes to continue to build a case to return. Antonee Robinson is the starting left back, but the backup role is currently held by Krisoffer Lund of Palermo in Serie B, who only recently joined the squad last fall.
“It’s always a motivation to play for your country,” Bello said. “I want to get back in that picture. It’s not my only goal, but I will get my chance if I continue to play and work at high level. It’s not my decision at the end of the day, I have to continue working, stay humble and good things will come.”
As a 2002-born player, Bello is also eligible for the U.S. Olympic team this summer and he hopes his season in Austria could get him a look in the team’s final camp next month. That team has mostly used John Tolkin and Caleb Wiley thus far at left back.
Regardless of what happens this summer, Bello’s career is back on the upswing, and he is now happy and optimistic for his future. It wasn’t an easy journey to this point, and the difficulties of fighting through experiences like he did in Germany with double relegation is something not every player successfully does. But through it, he emerged as a better player who is now battle tested and tougher.
“I would say a huge step forward for me personally,” Bello explained. “Coming here from Bielefeld after not such a good time there, being able to compete again and playing many games and become a more consistent player. Now I want to continue to win with this team and continue to grow individually. Overall, I am very happy and blessed to finish the season on a good note.”
Who knows what the future holds for Bello, and few would have predicted his past few years when he was a top teenager with Atlanta United. Regardless, his
past has made him better prepared for anything that could come his way.
Great story Brian. Turning a negative into a positive. Two years of losing – two demotions – few could overcome that. Sure Bello has some stories from that period. Now on the rebound and only 22 – young man. Lesson for the young players – if you go to Europe – choose carefully. There are more failures than successes – a big factor – is the culture of the club – another is the character of their staff and players – but – they can leave – so also is stability of the club. What George overcame – would have finished most. Impressive story. Best of luck for George. Thank you Brian for another excellent article.