Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham has opened up about the challenges he’s faced this season, attributing some of his struggles to his own versatility. The England international has found it difficult to maintain consistency due to a lack of a fixed position under various managers, including Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.
Injuries have also played a significant role in Bellingham’s inconsistent campaign. Following a hamstring tear, he made his return in mid-March and has featured in Real Madrid’s last four matches.
“I feel good. This season has been frustrating; I’ve had bad luck, missing games due to injuries. At the beginning and in these last two months. The hardest part is coming back, mentally, preparing for those matches. The more you play, the better. I played against Mallorca, against Atletico, against Bayern… Your confidence grows, and you keep improving.”
Bellingham Acknowledges La Liga Title Slipping Away
With exits from the Copa del Rey and a nine-point deficit behind Barcelona in La Liga, the Champions League is seen by many as Real Madrid’s last hope for silverware this season.
“Any loss in the Champions League feels like a disaster, given our current situation; it’s almost like a final. Obviously we want to compete and play well. We have a lot at stake and we must play well. It’s all or nothing, that’s our mentality. We have to see it like that. We’re not going to hide. We want to believe, we don’t have any more chances. We have to play and win.”
When pressed on the reasons for Real Madrid’s struggles in the league, Bellingham admitted it’s complex.
“It’s complicated, it’s not the right place or the right time to reflect on it. In La Liga, at least at home, we’ve dropped too many points. You can’t win a league title by dropping so many points, with the competition from Barcelona. And away from home too. It’s just not possible. I don’t think the fight is over. We’re behind, but we have to focus on tomorrow. It’s a big day.”
Bellingham: ‘I’ve been a victim of my versatility’
After undergoing shoulder surgery in the summer, Bellingham returned in September but has struggled to find a consistent role and footing in the team.
“There’s been a change, from my first season to now. Before, I played further forward, in that diamond midfield, with two wingers. Last year I played more on the left coming inside. And with Arbeloa and Xabi, a bit deeper. I can play in several positions. I can do different things at a good level, and I’m a little bit of a victim of that. It’s good and bad, because there’s no one position you can get used to, but you have to adapt.”
“When I score goals, I want to score more, but you also have to defend, you have to find that balance. And if I don’t score, I have to help the team. And I have to do whatever the coach asks.”
This season, Bellingham has faced more scrutiny than in previous years, with some suggesting a loss of focus. He addressed these claims with a playful celebration, referencing speculation about his enjoyment of Madrid’s nightlife.
“I think I’ve already spoken about this; you can’t mix your private life with your life as a player. I’ve enjoyed nights out, of course I have, but things came out that weren’t true, like that I drank too much, that I went out a lot. But none of that is true. I’m very professional, every single day. It was a joke.”
The Vinicius Junior-Kylian Mbappe Combination
Another topic of intense discussion in the Spanish capital has been the potential chemistry between Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior. Real Madrid’s best performances under Alvaro Arbeloa have, at times, occurred when Mbappe has been sidelined.
“It’s difficult to answer. There have been matches where we’ve played very well, combined a lot. You have to look at each player individually. Perhaps we crowd together too much on the left; if I go to the other wing, we might have more balance. Maybe people are seeing the glass half empty. We play with freedom, and I hope that will be evident tomorrow, and that we can play fluidly.”
Real Madrid is set to face Bayern Munich at 21:00 CEST at the Allianz Arena, trailing 2-1 from the first leg. Bellingham is anticipated to start, marking only his second appearance from the outset since early February.
