Jude Bellingham has brushed off rumors that he and his Real Madrid teammates are at odds.
Tuesday marked Bellingham’s injury comeback as Madrid defeated Stuttgart in their season-opening Champions League match. Since the draw with Mallorca on the first day of play, the midfield player has been ruled out of all of Madrid’s games.
There have been rumors going around that Bellingham has been involved in a conflict with teammates Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, and Rodrygo while he has been away. On Tuesday, all four made their debuts against Stuttgart.
Mbappe had one goal and Rodrygo had one assist. Furthermore, Bellingham’s response to the latter’s performance has ended the whispers that the midfielder’s injury was the result of a falling out between the two of them.
In response to the winger’s victory-themed Instagram picture, he said, “Only the fools forget the R.” Later, Bellingham clarified the situation between Mbappe and Vinicius, stating there was no issue in either case.
“I saw on social media that someone’s trying to create something negative between Mbappé, Rodrygo, Vinicius, and me,” the England international continued. The sole veracity is that we have a close friendship both on and off the field.
On Tuesday, Mbappe opened the score at the Bernabeu by converting Rodrygo’s cross at close range. Twenty-two minutes remaining, Deniz Undav tied the score, but goals from Antonio Rudiger and Endrick gave Madrid a late victory.
Bellingham gave French sensation Kylian Mbappe the greatest accolade. “It’s what he does, I’m not surprised at all,” he said to TNT Sports. I simply assumed it was just another game in which he would score; I had no idea it was his debut.
Even though there is a lot of pressure coming from a team like Real Madrid, he always performs well, and the boys immediately like him. He will be crucial to our success both this season and in the future.”
Bellingham acknowledged that his forced absence had left him frustrated as well. However, he is happy to be back on the field after fully recovering from his knee problems.
“The past three and a half weeks have not been easy. Since I haven’t been hurt often in my profession, I get a little irritable when it does. I was eager to get started, but this time I wanted to take it gradually and decided that this would be the game I returned to, maybe from the bench,” he continued.
“I was so eager and disorganized in the first half, just trying to create and fit in the box, so I gave it all I had. I think I simply ran out of steam in the second half, so I remained a little deeper, but I’m adjusting to being back and finding my footing again, so I’m sure this season will be good.”
