Bellingham: 'Real Madrid is the greatest club in history'
'The trophy room was the most impressive thing for me. All 14 Champions League trophies are there and you just want to pick one up,' said the new madridista player.
Following his unveiling as a new Real Madrid player, Jude Bellingham appeared before the media in the press room at Real Madrid City. The English midfielder said: 'Real Madrid is the greatest club in history and there aren't many players who get to play for such a magnificent and historic club. I'm very grateful to those who brought me here.'
'I don't think about money when I make these kinds of decisions. It's not important to me. It's the sport I love and I love the feeling at Real Madrid and how I feel about the club. For me Real Madrid is the greatest club and I wanted everything to happen quickly. It doesn't mean that the other teams are bad, but that Real Madrid is the greatest.'
Why did you choose Real Madrid?
'The respect in England for Real Madrid is extraordinary and the pedigree in Europe is really important. It comes a little bit from all of that. I've seen games from other seasons and the achievements they've made. It makes Madrid very appealing. It has the greatest history in the world and the players have contributed to making it the best team in the world.'
'I've always watched Real Madrid games and I didn't just come here because of the size of the club. They're very big, but the vision of the game and the team is extraordinary. It's a very attractive team and one that you always want to join. The idea of the way they play is extraordinary and exciting. It's a great opportunity that I couldn't turn down.'
When did you decide to come to Madrid?
'I don't remember when they came to my house, but that was the turning point. There have been many things that have influenced my decision to come to this club. It's a combination of things. My father told me that Madrid had asked for me 8 or 10 months ago and my heart jumped. I didn't expect it and it's an extraordinary feeling.'
His new number
'I'd like to thank Vallejo for giving me the 5. I have spoken to him and he's a great guy. He's a wonderful guy. I really admire Zidane and the legacy he has at this club with the number 5. It's a number that inspires me. I've worn 22 for a long time and in my heart I'll continue to wear 22. I'm delighted to wear the number 5.'
'The shirt in itself is a big responsibility. Zidane is a player I've always valued and always loved. for me he has been the best and I want to extend the legacy of the number more than try to match what he has been.'
His admiration for Zidane
'I didn't want to bother him too much by asking to wear his number. We haven't been in touch since the Champions League final. It's a great honour to follow in his footsteps and wear his number. I respect him a lot. He's been extraordinary with me and my family.'
Ancelotti
'I've spoken to him and he's an incredible coach. The trophies he's won speak for themselves. I'm looking forward to being with him and I'm delighted that he wants me in his team. It’s an incredible opportunity to work under one of the best coaches in the world.'
'I don't think about money when I make these kinds of decisions. It's not important to me. It's the sport I love and I love the feeling at Real Madrid and how I feel about the club. For me Real Madrid is the greatest club and I wanted everything to happen quickly. It doesn't mean that the other teams are bad, but that Real Madrid is the greatest.'
Why did you choose Real Madrid?
'The respect in England for Real Madrid is extraordinary and the pedigree in Europe is really important. It comes a little bit from all of that. I've seen games from other seasons and the achievements they've made. It makes Madrid very appealing. It has the greatest history in the world and the players have contributed to making it the best team in the world.'
'I've always watched Real Madrid games and I didn't just come here because of the size of the club. They're very big, but the vision of the game and the team is extraordinary. It's a very attractive team and one that you always want to join. The idea of the way they play is extraordinary and exciting. It's a great opportunity that I couldn't turn down.'
When did you decide to come to Madrid?
'I don't remember when they came to my house, but that was the turning point. There have been many things that have influenced my decision to come to this club. It's a combination of things. My father told me that Madrid had asked for me 8 or 10 months ago and my heart jumped. I didn't expect it and it's an extraordinary feeling.'
His new number
'I'd like to thank Vallejo for giving me the 5. I have spoken to him and he's a great guy. He's a wonderful guy. I really admire Zidane and the legacy he has at this club with the number 5. It's a number that inspires me. I've worn 22 for a long time and in my heart I'll continue to wear 22. I'm delighted to wear the number 5.'
'The shirt in itself is a big responsibility. Zidane is a player I've always valued and always loved. for me he has been the best and I want to extend the legacy of the number more than try to match what he has been.'
His admiration for Zidane
'I didn't want to bother him too much by asking to wear his number. We haven't been in touch since the Champions League final. It's a great honour to follow in his footsteps and wear his number. I respect him a lot. He's been extraordinary with me and my family.'
Ancelotti
'I've spoken to him and he's an incredible coach. The trophies he's won speak for themselves. I'm looking forward to being with him and I'm delighted that he wants me in his team. It’s an incredible opportunity to work under one of the best coaches in the world.'
Playing in midfield with Kroos and Modrić
'It's a valuable experience for my career. They are both incredible players and their vision and experience is going to be extraordinary for me. I'm going to try to learn as much as I can and try to stick with them for the first few weeks. I hope it doesn't bother them. The combination of experience and youth is extraordinary. We have an extraordinary team and they're not only great players but also top people. I can't wait to get started.'
His family
'My dad was crying and he doesn't do that very often so I think it's a very special moment for him. I love how proud they are and I really appreciate it. The deal happened because of my family and it's unbelievable the respect the club has shown for my family. They haven't tried to manipulate us and they have treated them very well. That's why they're so happy and being here means so much to us.'
Pressure of playing at Real Madrid
'I've come to a very big club and I am very professional. When you are 15 or 16 years old and you play with adults you have to learn quickly. I know how important this responsibility is and I hope I can continue to perform well here. I know the expectations placed on my shoulders and every year I continue to improve. I know the level I have to be at and the level I have to give. The World Cup was a fast learning experience and I want to come here, win and develop my way of playing and my style.'
'The pressure has followed me everywhere and the expectations on me have always remained high. I hope my experience will help me to deal with this pressure. I'm always learning and I don't think I'll have any problems. The transfer fee doesn't worry me too much and I don't even know about it. I just want to help Madrid to be the greatest and I have to do my talking on the pitch because I'm not an accountant or a lawyer.'
How would you define yourself as a player?
'I'm a midfielder who can do everything. An all-round midfielder. I have a wide range of abilities and I hope to be able to display that at Madrid. I'll always try to help the team and contribute to the club's success.'
What has surprised you most about Real Madrid's facilities?
'Probably the trophy room was the most impressive thing for me. All 14 Champions League trophies are there and you just want to pick one up.”
Premier League
'Everyone in the national team always wanted me back in England and I appreciate that, but I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. The easiest thing would've been to go back there, but coming to a club the size of Madrid is an opportunity that I had to take. It's the right move for me because Madrid are the club I wanted to be at and that's it.'
England national team
'I'm going to gain a lot of experience from playing in Spain and it's different to when you've only played in England. The Premier league is different and I've spoken to different team-mates. I've had a lot of support. Several of them have wished me luck.'
Harry Kane
'He's my captain and a world-class player. I love him as a player and as a person. Whatever happens, happens. I have nothing to say about that.'
Mbappé
'I can't comment on that. He's one of the best in the world in his position. We'll see what happens. I've seen what has been said on the internet and not everything we see is true. I'm trying to form my own opinion. He's a great player and I'd love to play with him. Who wouldn't?'
Butragueño: “You have chosen Real Madrid to develop as one of the best players in the world”
Real Madrid's Director of Institutional Relations, Emilio Butragueño, accompanied Bellingham at the press conference: “You have chosen Real Madrid to develop as one of the best players in the world. We are very grateful and very delighted. We will do everything we can to make sure that you and your family are very happy in this new stage of your career. You are now a Real Madrid player. Many congratulations and our best wishes for you to fulfil all your wishes with this badge and this shirt. Welcome to Real Madrid.”
'It's a valuable experience for my career. They are both incredible players and their vision and experience is going to be extraordinary for me. I'm going to try to learn as much as I can and try to stick with them for the first few weeks. I hope it doesn't bother them. The combination of experience and youth is extraordinary. We have an extraordinary team and they're not only great players but also top people. I can't wait to get started.'
His family
'My dad was crying and he doesn't do that very often so I think it's a very special moment for him. I love how proud they are and I really appreciate it. The deal happened because of my family and it's unbelievable the respect the club has shown for my family. They haven't tried to manipulate us and they have treated them very well. That's why they're so happy and being here means so much to us.'
Pressure of playing at Real Madrid
'I've come to a very big club and I am very professional. When you are 15 or 16 years old and you play with adults you have to learn quickly. I know how important this responsibility is and I hope I can continue to perform well here. I know the expectations placed on my shoulders and every year I continue to improve. I know the level I have to be at and the level I have to give. The World Cup was a fast learning experience and I want to come here, win and develop my way of playing and my style.'
'The pressure has followed me everywhere and the expectations on me have always remained high. I hope my experience will help me to deal with this pressure. I'm always learning and I don't think I'll have any problems. The transfer fee doesn't worry me too much and I don't even know about it. I just want to help Madrid to be the greatest and I have to do my talking on the pitch because I'm not an accountant or a lawyer.'
How would you define yourself as a player?
'I'm a midfielder who can do everything. An all-round midfielder. I have a wide range of abilities and I hope to be able to display that at Madrid. I'll always try to help the team and contribute to the club's success.'
What has surprised you most about Real Madrid's facilities?
'Probably the trophy room was the most impressive thing for me. All 14 Champions League trophies are there and you just want to pick one up.”
Premier League
'Everyone in the national team always wanted me back in England and I appreciate that, but I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. The easiest thing would've been to go back there, but coming to a club the size of Madrid is an opportunity that I had to take. It's the right move for me because Madrid are the club I wanted to be at and that's it.'
England national team
'I'm going to gain a lot of experience from playing in Spain and it's different to when you've only played in England. The Premier league is different and I've spoken to different team-mates. I've had a lot of support. Several of them have wished me luck.'
Harry Kane
'He's my captain and a world-class player. I love him as a player and as a person. Whatever happens, happens. I have nothing to say about that.'
Mbappé
'I can't comment on that. He's one of the best in the world in his position. We'll see what happens. I've seen what has been said on the internet and not everything we see is true. I'm trying to form my own opinion. He's a great player and I'd love to play with him. Who wouldn't?'
Butragueño: “You have chosen Real Madrid to develop as one of the best players in the world”
Real Madrid's Director of Institutional Relations, Emilio Butragueño, accompanied Bellingham at the press conference: “You have chosen Real Madrid to develop as one of the best players in the world. We are very grateful and very delighted. We will do everything we can to make sure that you and your family are very happy in this new stage of your career. You are now a Real Madrid player. Many congratulations and our best wishes for you to fulfil all your wishes with this badge and this shirt. Welcome to Real Madrid.”