Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham has hailed his team-mates for welcoming him with open arms after their Champions League win at Wembley.
The 20-year-old was voted the LaLiga Player of the Season following his incredible debut campaign with Los Blancos and he has now added Europe’s top honour to his trophy cabinet.
It took no time at all for Bellingham to settle in at one of the biggest clubs in the world and he has revelled in the pressure and demands of Madrid.
After scoring the winner in both El Clasico’s this season, he has become a fan favourite there were shirts with his name on the back flooding Wembley Way ahead of the big match on Saturday.
He may not have had a massive impact on proceedings in the English capital, but Bellingham has done more than enough to be considered as a ballon d’Or contender at the end of the year.
On his post-match media duties after the win against his former club Borussia Dortmund, he revealed what his team-mates said to him after the match.
CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE!!! 🏆
Siempre HALA MADRID 🤍 pic.twitter.com/1taFsKwedL— Jude Bellingham (@BellinghamJude) June 1, 2024
Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: “They always said to me to enjoy the first one, a feeling like no other when you get to the top of the mountain.
“Never forget your first. They have told me all week. Dortmund had the better of the game, the better chances, but if you don’t kill us then we will come back.
“[Toni Kroos and Luka Modric] They were a big part of my feeling before the game to be fair.
“When I was alone in my room I was thinking to myself and not as confident but you come down to dinner and they are playing cards, chatting, looking relaxed.
“Then you start to feel relaxed and settle into it. Champions of Europe, can’t get any better than that.”
Real Madrid are the most demanding football club in the world.
“I was alright until I saw my mum and dad’s faces there!” ❤️
An emotional Jude Bellingham tries to find the words to describe his feelings after winning the Champions League 🏆#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/byHVn8IzXl
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 1, 2024
They expect success in every competition they compete in and fans can quickly turn their back on you if you do not perform to the required levels.
Bellingham has felt that pressure since arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu but insists it is all worth it when you win the big trophies.
He added: “The pressure is a lot, in the club there is the bubble of players and staff but outside it feels like the world is on top of you.
“Something happens in training and five minutes after it is in the media.
“But nights like this are why you want to play for this club, the pressure builds and builds but then you win and it is an amazing feeling.”