Jude Bellingham issues angry response after Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid exit
Jude Bellingham has publicly rejected reports suggesting he had a strained relationship with Xabi Alonso, calling the claims misleading and accusing parts of the media of spreading misinformation.
The England midfielder spoke out days after Real Madrid confirmed Alonso’s departure following their defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The loss brought an end to Alonso’s seven-month spell in charge amid mounting pressure over results and dressing-room harmony.
In the aftermath of the sacking, several outlets speculated about tensions between Alonso and senior players, with Bellingham named among those allegedly at odds with the former coach. The midfielder addressed those reports directly in a post on his JB5 app.
“Until now I've let far too many of these slide, always hoping the truth will come to light in its own time,” Bellingham wrote. “But honestly... What a load of sh*t.”
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He added: “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.”
Alongside the message, Bellingham shared a screenshot from the X account TheMadridZone referencing reporting by The Athletic’s Mario Cortegana, indicating that he was disputing how the information had been interpreted or presented.
Mixed atmosphere inside the squad
While Bellingham pushed back strongly, there were visible signs of tension elsewhere in the squad during Alonso’s tenure. In October, during a La Liga victory over Barcelona, Vinicius Jr reacted angrily after being substituted, heading straight down the tunnel while reportedly shouting “Always me”.
The Brazilian later issued an apology to the club and his teammates but did not publicly reference Alonso.
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Another incident followed Madrid’s Super Cup loss, when Alonso instructed his players to give Barcelona a guard of honour. Kylian Mbappé appeared to undermine the gesture by waving teammates away, an act that drew attention amid growing scrutiny of Alonso’s authority.
Despite that moment, reporting throughout the season suggested Mbappé remained supportive of the coach. After Alonso’s departure was confirmed, the France international posted a photo of the pair together on Instagram.
“It’s been short but it was a pleasure to play for you and learn from you,” Mbappé wrote. “Thank you for giving me the confidence since Day 1… Best of luck for your next chapter.”
Bellingham’s intervention highlights how quickly narratives can take hold after a managerial exit and how firmly some players are now pushing back against them.
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Sources: The Athletic, AFP
