JUDE BELLINGHAM SLAMS CRITICS: "I DON’T NEED TO SCORE FORTY GOALS LIKE MBAPPE"
Jude Bellingham answers critics over his deeper role at Real Madrid and backs "electric" Vinicius Jr amid Xabi Alonso rumours.
Jude Bellingham isn’t shy about answering critics who’ve questioned his goal-scoring this season. He’s made it clear—he’s playing deeper for a reason. With Kylian Mbappe joining Real Madrid, Bellingham says it’s his job to make space for the new star. And when it comes to Vinicius Jr., he’s not having the criticism. Bellingham calls his teammate “electric,” even if things have been rough under Xabi Alonso.
Back when Bellingham first showed up at the Santiago Bernabeu, it almost felt surreal. He walked onto the pitch and just started scoring, like he’d been doing it for years. Madrid didn’t have a real striker, so he stepped up in midfield and filled that gap, almost channelling Karim Benzema. He finished that first season with 23 goals across all competitions—big goals, too, in El Clásico and the Champions League. Fans loved him. That image of Bellingham celebrating a late winner? That became the face of Carlo Ancelotti’s team.
Then Mbappe arrived in 2024, and everything shifted. The French superstar brought goals and grabbed the spotlight, but he also forced the team to adapt. Now Madrid’s attack runs through Mbappe. Bellingham’s numbers dipped. He’s playing deeper, more of a midfielder again, and not getting into scoring positions as often. Last season, he managed 15 goals. This year, he’s got five so far. Naturally, the Spanish media started asking if he’s lost his edge because of Mbappe.
Bellingham doesn’t see it that way. He’s been pretty blunt about it: his new role helps Mbappe shine.
Switching positions wasn’t hard, he says. “In my first year, I played close to the goal and scored a lot. Now, with Mbappe, we’ve got a guy who bangs in 40 a season. I don’t need to be up there all the time.”
He’s still making a difference, just in new ways. He points to last season—15 goals, even from deeper on the field—and says he’s still a threat. “I’ll always score. I know how to get into those spots. But this year, I’m helping the team in other ways. My job isn’t just about goals anymore.”
While Bellingham seems comfortable with his new responsibilities, he’s also quick to back up his teammates—especially Vinicius Jr., who’s had a tough time this season. Vinicius hasn’t looked like himself lately. He’s missed chances, and there’s talk of a falling out with Xabi Alonso, which has left him on the bench more than usual. Fans are restless. But Bellingham isn’t buying into the negativity.
“There’s a lot of pressure on Vini,” Bellingham says. “He does a ton for us. Yeah, maybe he’s struggling to score, but I see a guy who’s still dangerous and creative every time he gets the ball.”
For Bellingham, people are missing the bigger picture. Vinicius might not be filling up the stat sheet, but he’s still causing problems for defenders, opening up space—especially for Mbappe. “Goals aren’t everything,” Bellingham says. “There are assists, there’s the chaos he creates. He’s a huge part of this team. He’ll get back to his best, I’m sure.”
After a season without trophies, the pressure is on for Real Madrid and coach Alonso. Right now, they’re trailing Barcelona by four points in La Liga. The spotlight’s not going anywhere. But Bellingham, at least, seems unfazed—focused on the bigger picture, and not just the numbers.
THE ARBELOA STANCE: WHY REAL MADRID’S COACH DEMANDS A HISTORIC PRECEDENT FOR VINICIUS JR
Action needed: Discover why Alvaro Arbeloa is challenging UEFA to punish Gianluca Prestianni and support Vinicius Jr. in Madrid.
Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa wants to see UEFA back up its anti-racism talk with real action after forward Vinicius Jr said he was racially abused during last week’s Champions League match in Lisbon.
The incident happened during the first leg of the knockout round against Benfica. Vinicius, who scored the game’s only goal, says Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni targeted him with racist abuse soon after he found the net.
Prestianni, a 20-year-old winger from Argentina, denies it. Still, UEFA hit him with a one-game provisional suspension, so he’ll miss the return leg in Madrid on Wednesday.
“This is a big chance to actually move the fight against racism forward,” Arbeloa told reporters on Tuesday. “UEFA’s always talked a good game about this issue, but now they can show they mean it. I hope they don’t just stick to slogans and banners this time.”
Vinicius, 25, picked up a yellow card for celebrating his goal in front of Benfica’s fans. Benfica manager Jose Mourinho later accused him of being disrespectful and stirring up the crowd.
But Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois pushed back. He said Vinicius’s celebration was nothing out of the ordinary and that it never justifies racist abuse.
“Mourinho’s going to defend his club and his player; that’s normal,” Courtois said. “What bothers me is blaming Vini’s celebration. He didn’t do anything wrong. Opponents celebrate in front of us all the time, especially when they score. It happens, and we move on. There’s no excuse for racism, period.”
Arbeloa called Vinicius a “fighter” and said he’s sure the Brazilian will prove himself on the pitch at the Bernabeu.
“Vini Junior has always had guts and personality,” Arbeloa said. “Honestly, I don’t know how anyone else would handle what he’s faced. He’s always stood tall, and that’s just how he is. He’ll show up tomorrow ready to fight, ready to show he’s one of the world’s best.”
The first match was stopped for ten minutes after Vinicius told the referee what happened, and Real Madrid’s players walked off the field for a bit. There were also reports of racist gestures from fans in the stands at Benfica’s stadium. UEFA says Prestianni could face more punishment once their ethics inspector finishes a full investigation.
On the Benfica side, club president Rui Costa stood by Prestianni and confirmed they’re appealing the suspension.
“I wasn’t on the pitch to hear what was said, but you can imagine how heated things get,” Costa told reporters at Lisbon airport. “We trust our player. He’s being labelled a racist, and I can promise you he’s nothing of the sort. That's why we have faith in him.”
Mourinho, who’s been criticised for his comments, won’t speak at the usual pre-match press conference.
Costa added, “We’ve appealed because nothing’s been proven, so there’s no real reason Prestianni should miss this game.”
THE PAMPLONA CURSE: OSASUNA SECURES FIRST HOME WIN OVER REAL MADRID SINCE JANUARY 2011
Real Madrid's lead is at risk! Discover how Osasuna stunned the leaders 2-1 and analyse Arbeloa's honest post-match reaction.
Álvaro Arbeloa didn’t hide his frustration after Real Madrid lost 2-1 at Osasuna on Saturday. The defeat wasn’t just a bump; it let points slip away in the LaLiga title race. “We can play much better,” he admitted.
Osasuna struck first. Ante Budimir scored from the penalty spot before halftime at El Sadar. Madrid looked flat for most of the match, but Vinícius Júnior pulled them level in the 73rd minute with his fifth goal in just four games. Even then, the comeback didn’t last. In the very last minute, Raúl García pulled off a brilliant solo goal, slicing through defenders and beating Thibaut Courtois. The flag went up for offside, but after a VAR check, the goal stood. That gave Osasuna their first home win over Madrid in 15 years.
Arbeloa summed it up simply: “It wasn’t a good game for us.” He didn’t make excuses, but he did mention the tough schedule. “It’s not easy playing midweek and then again on Sunday, but that’s what’s expected here. This is Real Madrid. We knew coming here wouldn’t be easy.”
Madrid had arrived in Pamplona on a hot streak of four straight wins against Rayo Vallecano, Valencia, Real Sociedad, and Benfica. Even so, Arbeloa saw clear problems: “Nobody wants to lose, obviously. But it’s a long season; there’s still a lot to play. In the first half, we controlled things, but we played too slowly. We have to move the ball quicker.”
He pointed out that Madrid’s attack got too predictable. “We’re doing a lot down the left, but we need to use the other side too. If we don’t, we’re too easy to defend.”
Looking back at their midweek win over Benfica, Arbeloa knew they fell short this time. “We did well last Tuesday, but today it wasn’t so easy. We’ve got a lot to improve. When we’re not at 100%, any team can beat us. We know that.”
Arbeloa also addressed questions about Kylian Mbappé, who’s been dealing with a knee issue. “He rested last week and didn’t play against La Real,” Arbeloa said. “When we think he’s not ready, we won’t risk him. That’s a decision we make together with the doctors and Kylian himself. But he didn’t play last week.”
For Osasuna, the win meant everything. Raúl García, the match-winner, was still buzzing after the final whistle. “It’s an incredible feeling,” he told DAZN. “We hadn’t beaten Madrid here for 15 years. The team played great. That goal – it’s a move I use a lot. I’ve scored a few like that in the second division.”
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