Bellingham: Alonso's Future Isn’t My Call—and I Dream of a Saudi Return
7 January 2026
Transfers and Alonso’s Future Are Not His Call
Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid midfielder, spoke ahead of the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Atletico Madrid in Saudi Arabia, broadcast exclusively on the Eight App.
During the pre-match press conference, he was asked about any wish to avenge the 5-2 defeat to Atletico at the Metropolitano. He said: "This match is played with heart and mind together, and you cannot rely on one alone. We understand the importance, especially after the 5-2 loss."
He added: "We want to win for the fans, and we must let our performance on the pitch speak for itself, staying focused and fully in control of the proceedings."
He also denied rumors that he influenced recruitment, stating: "It's not true that I tried to bring English players... there is no one with that kind of influence at the club, and I don't even know where to start in this topic."
Madrid’s locker room, Alonso and the Saudi atmosphere
Asked about rumored issues in the locker room, Bellingham said: "We know what goes on in the locker room, and we support the coach fully. There is no room for debate. Things are going well, we always aim to improve. My relation with everyone is very good, and if a problem arises, we sit down and talk."
On Alonso's future, he added: "I don't make decisions; I can only offer my opinion. We are united in the locker room and must stay that way. We go through peaks and troughs, but our current situation isn't catastrophic, and decisions come from higher authorities."
The English international also commented on the Saudi atmosphere: "The atmosphere is excellent, as is the pitch and the stadiums. You can watch important matches here, and there is real passion for football. It's important to bring competitions to different continents to help the sport grow. The journey is a bit long, but the experience has been wonderful, and we hope to return here and participate in the 2034 World Cup."
He also noted the ongoing relationship with Saudi football and hinted at future opportunities.
Punchlines time: "If transfer chatter paid as well as goals, I'd be a trillionaire by now," he joked in the press room. "And if they ever give me the power to decide transfers, I'll sign a napkin and call it a day."
