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.
WHY DID REAL MADRID CHOOSE TO KEEP ENDRICK DESPITE MASSIVE PREMIER LEAGUE INTEREST?
After a stellar loan at Lyon, Endrick will return to Real Madrid this summer alongside Jacobo Ramón to form a new youth core.
Real Madrid has zero plans to let Endrick leave this summer. That’s what we’re hearing, even with Arsenal and Chelsea knocking on their door. We’ve also got some updates on Jacobo Ramon’s future.
Endrick is finishing his loan at Lyon on a high note. He’s put up seven goals and seven assists in just 18 games, and people are excited about what he could do long-term.
The 19-year-old forward from Brazil wanted more game time after struggling for chances with Xabi Alonso in charge at Madrid, so he pushed for a loan. Now, with Alonso gone, Endrick’s focused on forcing his way into Brazil’s World Cup squad, and honestly, the way he’s been playing lately, he’s making a strong argument.
Big clubs are paying attention. Arsenal and Chelsea have both checked in recently to see if Madrid would be open to a deal for him this summer.
But Madrid’s answer? No chance. They’ve told both clubs straight up: Endrick’s coming back to the Bernabéu, and he’s in their first-team plans for next season.
Endrick’s on board with that, too. He wants to stay and fight for a spot, a real chance to prove himself as a regular in Madrid’s lineup.
Florentino Perez backs him all the way; he still believes Endrick is the best young talent out there. The club isn’t about to change its mind.
Endrick’s not the only Madrid youth getting attention from the Premier League. Arsenal and Chelsea have also been checking in about Jacobo Ramon, the young centre-back playing for Como in Italy right now.
Ramon’s been playing alongside Nico Paz under Cesc Fabregas and has done well. Even though he moved from Madrid to Como last summer, Madrid made sure to keep buy-back and sell-on clauses, so it’s almost like he’s still a Madrid player on loan.
Now, the plan is for Ramon to return to Madrid this summer with Endrick and Paz. The club’s looking to keep its young core together and build the future around them.
Lots of clubs are watching Ramon; more than six want to sign him. But honestly, Madrid’s stance is pretty clear: just like with Endrick, they aren’t budging.
So for Arsenal, Chelsea, and anyone else hoping to swoop in, the message is simple. Madrid is keeping their best young talents. They’re not letting them go.
HOW HECTOR BELLERIN’S 94TH-MINUTE STUNNER PUSHED REAL MADRID TO THE TITLE BRINK
Real Madrid's title hopes faded after a 1-1 draw with Real Betis. Discover the impact of Bellerin’s goal and Mbappe’s injury.
Real Madrid’s La Liga dreams took a big hit Friday night when Héctor Bellerín scored a 94th-minute equaliser, earning Real Betis a 1-1 draw. With that late goal, Madrid now sit eight points behind Barcelona, and if Barça win their next match, they could pull even further away with just a handful of games left.
Madrid actually started strong in Seville. Vinícius Jr took advantage of a goalkeeping mistake and put them ahead early in the 17th minute. After that, Madrid had control for large stretches, but it just didn’t translate into goals. Kylian Mbappé had one ruled out for offside, and Jude Bellingham, along with the rest of Madrid’s attack, missed some big chances. It all came back to haunt them when, in the dying seconds, Bellerín capitalised on the chaos at the back and smashed in the equaliser.
People are talking about Madrid’s defence and not in a good way. They’ve failed to keep a clean sheet for ten straight league games. The last time the backline struggled this much in a single season was way back in 2003-04, when Carlos Queiroz was in charge. This run has cost Madrid dearly, with dropped points piling up right when the title race is heating up.
This result marks Madrid’s fifth league draw this season, another missed chance that opens the door for Hansi Flick’s relentless Barcelona to run away with the title. With their Champions League hopes already gone, Madrid are now staring at what could be just their fifth season without a trophy this century. About the only bright spot? Mbappé made his 100th appearance for the club, becoming just the tenth Frenchman to reach that milestone for Madrid. Still, even that was undercut; he limped off with a suspected hamstring injury about ten minutes from the end.
Honestly, the title now looks like a lost cause. If Barcelona beat Getafe, they will go 11 points clear. Madrid has two tough away fixtures next: Espanyol, then Barcelona in a do-or-die El Clásico that could finish off their title hopes for good. With their form stalling and Barça flying, Madrid now need a minor miracle and a huge Barcelona slip-up to avoid ending this season empty-handed.
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