Bellingham: “You never imagine how big Real Madrid is"

Jude Bellingham has spoken to Realmadrid TV to look back at his first few months playing for our team. The midfielder discusses what it means to play for Real Madrid, reflects on his best moments so far and shows his most intimate side: "I'm delighted with how I've started and now it's about trying to maintain the level throughout the season and I hope can stay for many more at this great club."

His personality on the pitch
“Everything I have seen players do in the past, and today as well, are things I've imitated. I've added them to the way I play to make me better. You can see that on the pitch. I am a mix of many things as a player, even things I learned playing in the Championship with Birmingham. I haven't just focused on a single player and tried to copy him. I'm myself, I am Jude and I don't try and be anyone else."

His unveiling 
“It was an unforgettable day. It was surreal, just an unbelievable experience and one of the best days of my life. I didn't want to get too carried away, I'm more comfortable when I'm playing football, but it was a great day for my family and friends. So happy. Look at the selfie. The number 5 is a big number at this club. It was a beautiful day and I feel really proud about how it all went. I was so nervous. When it was my turn to talk and the president called me up to the stand, I was really nervous. I didn't know what I was going to say, I hadn't prepared anything. I just said whatever came into my head. It went well but I was really nervous."

Real Madrid's greatness
“You know Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world but when you see it up close, like with the renovation works at the Bernabéu, it's just unbelievable. It's like playing at the Colosseum, you feel like a gladiator. It's really special. You never imagine how big this club is. It's impossible to go out and not be recognised. Sometimes that's great, others not so much. This club is on another level. The players are very sure of themselves on a daily basis in training, the coach is really calm. It's a great environment to work in, to express yourself and be creative with your football. I feel at home in this city. My family are comfortable. I've had friends come over to see me and they love the city too. People and the fans are so respectful, they treat me brilliantly. I feel as though I've been here for years with the coaching staff and my teammates. I'm delighted with how I've started and now it's about trying to maintain the level throughout the season and I hope can stay for many more at this great club."

First competitive goal against Athletic Club
“It was a great first goal. David (Alaba) played a great ball to me, I hit it into the ground. Sometimes it's hard to hit the volley when it's at that height. You lose control at times, so I thought I'd hit it down and maybe it would find the target or someone might get on the end of it and turn it in. It was the perfect bounce. It may have been a bit lucky but it was a well-placed strike. It was a great day. The pressure is huge when you come to this club and it was important to start well."

His position
“My role has changed since I arrived at the club. At Dortmund I scored a fair few goals but I played deeper. It was harder to score. Now I'm playing with the best in the world and more at number 10, closer to the box. I'm given the freedom to move all over the pitch and I like to get into the box, be creative, shoot, create and score goals. It's all thanks to the coach and my teammates. I have to work hard and use my attributes to help the team, but they deserve all the praise."

Him as a person
“I'm the same guy in interviews, at home or with my friends. I like to joke around and laugh, I love having a good time. I have an amazing opportunity to do what I love the most. There aren't many people in the world who can say that and I appreciate all I'm achieving. I laugh with my teammates every day, but when it's time to be serious, I change into a completely different person. When I'm in the dressing room I'm focused on being a professional and I enjoy my teammates' company. My day to day life depends on what's going on at the time and who's coming over to visit. It depends on the day of the week or the games we have. I'm usually exhausted after training."

Daily routine
“I get up early to go to training, I train and then I head home. Sometimes I'll go out for a coffee near home or head into town to grab something to eat. Then I go back home to chill out in the garden for a bit if the weather is good and the sun's out. If my friends are over, we'll go out for dinner and then back home. It's great. You get to know the people at the places you visit more often. They don't see you as Jude Bellingham the footballer, but as Jude the guy who comes in for a coffee and that's great. The people I meet in the city really look after me. I feel at home." 

His stunner against Napoli and the iconic photo with Vini Jr.
“Great ball by Camavinga. I picked up the ball, I was having a good game, I felt confident. The ball was stuck to my boots so I just thought about driving forward. It's an amazing feeling when you dribble like that and see that you're closing in on the goal. You see yourself getting closer. As soon as I got into the box, I knew they couldn't make a tackle for fear of bringing me down. I was in control. It was my first Champions League game away from home, at a tough ground, against a good side. It was a great result and it put us in a good position in the group. It's one of my best goals since I arrived. The whole team played really well, we finished the game strongly."

“That was an amazing moment with Vini. What I love most about this team is how everyone is so happy for each other. If you do something special or score a goal, you will be on the receiving end of the odd loving smack from Rüdiger, but the others smile and are just so happy for you. I've seen that photo at the Bernabéu. It's a beautiful thing and makes me feel proud. It was a great moment and one of my favourite photos so far. The whole team are there and Vini shows off his creative side. It was a really happy moment. I have a copy of the photo and I'll treasure it forever."

Mentality
“It's important to play well individually, but it's worth nothing if the team doesn't win. To see ourselves towards the top of the table, with a trophy in the bag already and having finished top of our Champions League group is great. The Copa del Rey was a real shame. I'm most proud of the team's success and how I've been able to help out. The team and each individual player are doing an amazing job and that really helps me. It's a team sport. I have a role to play but I'm happiest when the team is playing at their best."

El Clásico in LaLiga
“Probably my best goal so far. To be honest, I wasn't having a great game. I was being well marked. I was on a good run of scoring goals so I was relaxed and felt like if I got a chance, I'd score. This club and this team are never out of any match. I was totally confident that we would turn it around. The ball fell to me. I hadn't felt great up to that point but I hit it really sweetly."

“The second goal came from a long move before. I think we had the ball for about a minute and a half. There were a lot of passes. Dani (Carvajal) finds Luka (Modrić). The ball pops up a bit. Some say it was luck, but while everyone was stood still, I kept running. They can say what they like but if it helps us win a game, I don't care about the jokes. These things happen in football. It was an amazing moment, it was a tough game for the team, it definitely wasn't our best performance. Those are the times when you have to show that fight and character. We did that an pulled off a historic win."

Adaptation
“Something I think I do well is settle into my surroundings. I go all in from a football sense, but socially as well. When I'm out and about I'm a reserved guy and I don't enjoy spending time with too many people because I struggle with the language, but I'm always polite. In terms of football, when you know you're going to be here for a long time and you'll be coming to work every day, it's important to give it your all and be open to learning in order to avoid mistakes and feel good so you can play well and be comfortable."

First Real Madrid trophy
“A great moment, I'm proud of that. It's not easy to go over to Saudi Arabia in the middle of the season and after the winter break. We played against two amazing teams. I think we dominated the first match. We were unlucky to go to extra-time, but the team displayed their character again. In the final, we showed our class and our quality. Vini was amazing; Rodrygo, brilliant. The whole team was fantastic. We were dominant and that was reflected in the score. I won my first trophy and it was a really important moment. You sign for this club to experience moments like that and it was beautiful to finally get my hands on a trophy. I hope there are more to come. We have to take it one day at a time, go to training and work as hard as you can, come home and behave well, treat people with respect and more of the same."

Feet on the ground
“When I play football, I've never been asked to do anything I haven't done before or that I'm incapable of. When I'm at home, my parents focus on me being a good person and setting an example for my little brother and my friends. They always tell me football is a bonus and I have to keep being who I am. They're more concerned with how I am at home. I have incredible support. I'm not starting out anymore and I know there will be ups and downs but I'm full of confidence and I have people around me to help me roll with the punches. Thanks to them, the bad times that may come around won't get to me. I know how to be strong. I'm very fortunate to be surrounded by such great people."