A ‘very nervous’ Jude Bellingham has received widespread praise after conducting his first full interview in Spanish since arriving at Real Madrid two years ago.
Bellingham became only the sixth Englishman to join Madrid in the professional era when he signed for the La Liga giants from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of £88.5million in June 2023.
Over the last couple of seasons, Bellingham has built up a close affinity with Madrid’s supporters while showing a real willingness to immerse himself in the culture of the club and the country.
But until now, Bellingham has only been heard attempting Spanish in fits and starts, seemingly reluctant to make the leap with a language which had not yet become second nature.
However, in the wake of Madrid’s penultimate match of the league campaign against Sevilla on Sunday, which they won 2-0, the 21-year-old midfielder stunned fans by having a good crack – before apologising for his admirable effortS.
‘He was nervous, but he came out of the interview on a high note,’ wrote the social media page of TV show El Chiringuito, which broadcast the RMTV interview with Bellingham.
Looking ahead to Madrid’s final game of the season, the England international said: ‘We want to finish well and that’s why we went for the win, but it’s a little sad because we want to play for titles.’
Asked about the importance of the upcoming Club World Cup, Bellingham replied: ‘It’s important because it’s another title.
‘I hope we win it. It’s the team’s and the club’s dream.
‘It’s important for us after a somewhat weak season.’
The interviewer wrapped up the exchange by thanking Bellingham for showing the bravery to give the language a go for the first time.
‘Thank you for your effort in speaking Spanish,’ they told Bellingham after Madrid’s victory, in which the former Birmingham City man scored his side’s second late on.
A blushing Bellingham responded by putting his head in his hands and replied: ‘Very bad, sorry… very nervous.’
A year ago, Bellingham revealed that he was taking two Spanish lessons a week in a bid to get himself at the level required to speak with more fluency.
Asked how his lessons were going by a CBS Sports reporter, Bellingham joked: ‘Two every week. I’m not at your level yet, but we’re getting there!
‘Tried to catch me out there, didn’t you?!’
Los Blancos will look to end their disappointing season on a high when they play host to Real Sociedad at the Bernabeu next weekend.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men got knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage and finished runners-up in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup this term.
Barcelona sealed their 28th La Liga title with a 2-0 victory away to city rivals Espanyol last Thursday night.
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