"I don't want to put any more pressure" - Jude Bellingham's old comments on Kylian Mbappe resurface after France captain signs Real Madrid contract
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham's old comments on France captain Kylian Mbappe resurfaced after the latter officially signed his contract with Los Blancos. The Englishman made the comments in May 2024, right after the Frenchman announced his departure from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) upon the expiration of his contract.
The move was announced by the club on June 3, but the medical examination and paperwork were completed on July 16. The signing of the contract concluded an almost six-year-long transfer saga involving Mbappe and Real Madrid.
After the 25-year-old released a video to reveal his exit from PSG, speculations were rife about his imminent move to the Santiago Bernabeu. A beIN Sports journalist asked Jude Bellingham how he would feel about taking to the pitch alongside the superstar forward.
The then 20-year-old said (via GOAL):
"You ask me about the position next year, I don't pick the team and I certainly don't make the transfers but you know, Kylian Mbappe, what a player. Who wouldn't want to play with someone as good as him? I don't want to kind of put any more pressure on the situation, I know for him it's probably difficult having everyone always talking about him, but yeah it would be really nice."
After Karim Benzema's surprise departure to Al-Ittihad in July 2023, Bellingham, who had just arrived from Borussia Dortmund, was deployed in an advanced centre-forward role to fill the gap. He shone in his new position, with 23 goals and 13 assists in 42 games across all competitions.
He will likely be moved back into midfield after the signing of Mbappe, who will lead the forward line alongside Brazilian stars Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo.
"He'd take us to another level" - When Jude Bellingham commented on what Kylian Mbappe would bring to Real Madrid
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham was outspoken in his praise for French superstar Kylian Mbappe before the latter's Los Blancos move was announced.
Speaking on TNT Sports before the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League final against his former club Borussia Dortmund, the English star confirmed his eagerness to play alongside the Frenchman.
He said (via Eurosport):
"If that (Mbappe moving to Real Madrid) was to happen, it would be amazing. A player like him...you see tonight I think it's the only little thing that maybe we're missing in terms of that clinical nine and I think if he was to come and give us that, we'd be in a really, really great place. He'd take us to another level."
Mbappe had a poor EURO 2024 by his own lofty standards, bagging only one goal and two assists in five games as France crashed out in the semi-finals to Spain. Despite the setback, he will likely be a top-class addition to Carlo Ancelotti's side.