Real Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham has launched a blistering, expletive-laden defence on social media, vehemently denying reports of a falling out with the recently sacked manager Xabi Alonso.
Bellingham's Explosive Social Media Defence
The controversy erupted after Alonso was dismissed on Monday, just months into his tenure at the Bernabéu. His departure, announced as 'by mutual agreement', followed a damaging 3-2 defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday night.
Speculation had been rife in Spanish media, with outlets like Mundo Deportivo suggesting several key players were unhappy with Alonso's methods. Names cited included not only Bellingham but also Thibaut Courtois, Vinicius Jnr, Eduardo Camavinga, and Fede Valverde. The reported grievances centred on tactical disagreements, notably Alonso's insistence on playing out from the back, and dissatisfaction over team selection.
'What a Load of S***': Bellingham Hits Back
Bellingham, posting on his own app, finally broke his silence to condemn the rumours in the strongest possible terms. 'Until now I've let far too many of these slide, always hoping the truth will come to light in its own time,' he began. 'But honestly... What a load of s***.'
He expressed sympathy for fans who believe such stories and issued a stark warning to the sources spreading them. 'Truly feel sorry for the people that hang onto the every word of these clowns and their "sources",' Bellingham continued. 'Do not believe everything you read, every now and then these lot need to be held accountable for spreading this kind of damaging misinformation for clicks and added controversy.'
Mbappe's Tribute and Underlying Tensions
Bellingham's outburst came after star forward Kylian Mbappe also publicly addressed Alonso's exit. On Instagram, Mbappe shared a photo of the pair embracing, writing: 'It’s been short but it was a pleasure to play for you and learn from you... I will remember you as a manager who had clear ideas and knows many things about football.'
This glowing tribute was notable given Mbappe had seemingly defied Alonso's authority just days earlier. After the Super Cup loss, he was seen leading the team's refusal to give Barcelona a traditional guard of honour. Despite this, Mbappe thrived under Alonso this season, scoring 29 goals and providing 5 assists in just 25 games.
Alonso, a former Liverpool and Real Madrid player, failed to replicate the success or popularity of predecessors like Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane. His former teammate, Alvaro Arbeloa, who was coaching the reserve side, has now taken temporary charge. The club currently trails Barcelona by four points in the LaLiga standings.
