Bellingham Responds to Criticism and Defends his Role at Madrid
Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid player, commented on Tuesday in a press conference that, after England's defeat to Spain in the Euro, the English press blamed him for the elimination and crossed a line by disrespecting him. The midfielder, who was key in leading England to the final, stated that he never lost his smile with Real Madrid, despite the criticism. "In the last England call-up, with new faces, joy returned. With Madrid, I’ve never lost my smile. I'm the luckiest guy representing my country and playing at the best club in the world," he said.
Bellingham also spoke about the pressure, highlighting that expectations are high at both Madrid and with the national team. He mentioned that, although he felt he contributed in key moments during the Euro, the criticism was excessive. "There were comments saying I hadn't spoken to the media and that I felt superior. That wasn’t true, they crossed a line of respect, so I take it personally. I prefer my performances to speak for me," he added.
Regarding his national teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been linked with Real Madrid, Bellingham said it would be "disrespectful" to talk about his friend's future. "I’ll play with him for the national team next year, and that’s guaranteed. He’s a great friend of mine, and I wish him the best," he said, making it clear it wasn’t the right time to speculate about his future.
Bellingham also praised Kylian Mbappé, who may play in his position on the left due to Vinícius Júnior's injury. "Kylian has played very well, and although he receives criticism, it’s exaggerated. What he has contributed has been very positive. When I see him play, it’s intimidating, and he will get even better," he highlighted.
Finally, the English midfielder spoke about his role on the field, stating that all players must be versatile. "I haven’t scored many goals, but I help in the overall play of the team. Like Fede and Camavinga, we’re versatile and need to cover positions when there are injuries. I know where I feel most comfortable, but my responsibility is to adapt and maximize my performance in any position."
