Bellingham answers critics on Champions League night

January 21, 2026 Oliver Obel

Jude Bellingham said speculation about his life away from football amounted to little more than “outside noise” after he scored in Real Madrid’s emphatic Champions League win and addressed recent criticism head-on.

The England midfielder found the net as Madrid swept aside Monaco 6-1 at the Bernabeu, ending a brief personal goal drought and capping a dominant European performance. It was his first goal of 2026.

Much of the attention afterward, however, centred on Bellingham’s goal celebration. After scoring late in the match, the 22-year-old made a brief drinking gesture toward the crowd a moment that quickly circulated online and drew widespread comment.

The celebration came against the backdrop of viral remarks made days earlier by Spanish YouTuber AuronPlay, an online personality with more than 29 million subscribers. Ahead of Madrid’s league game against Levante, AuronPlay claimed Bellingham “loves alcohol too much” and had visited “every nightclub in Spain,” suggesting the behaviour was affecting his form.

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Those comments gained traction on social media and appeared to spill into the stands. During Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Levante at the weekend, Bellingham was among several players who were booed and whistled by sections of the crowd.

Speaking to broadcaster TNT Sports after the Monaco match, Bellingham rejected the allegations and criticised the speed with which unverified claims can spread.

“It feels like anyone now can get a camera, say what they want and the whole world just believes them with no evidence,” he said.

“I feel there's two ways you can take it. You can cry about it and moan, or you can just roll with it and enjoy it.”

Bellingham explained that his celebration was intended as a light-hearted response rather than a serious statement.

“[The gesture] was a bit of a joke back to the fans and to the people who say whatever they want,” he said. “For me, I know the truth and I know what really goes on in my personal life.

“I know what I give to the game, what I give in the game and what I try to give to the team.”

He added that criticism from outside the club does not carry much weight, saying, “All the outside noise doesn't really matter but it's nice to have a little joke.”

Bellingham also acknowledged supporters’ right to express their views, even when criticism is directed at players.

“I've always said the fans pay their money, work all week and save up to come to Real Madrid games to support us so they're entitled to say what they want,” he said. “This was the kind of performance we have to deliver more for our fans.”

Sources: TNT Sports