Real Madrid's star English player, Jude Bellingham, expressed his admiration for the remarkable development of Saudi Arabia's sports infrastructure during his visit to Riyadh for the Spanish Super Cup. His remarks reflect the Kingdom's growing stature as a global destination for hosting major sporting events, a position strengthened by the strategic partnership between the Spanish Football Federation and Saudi Arabia.
Praise for the infrastructure and the Saudi fans
At the press conference preceding the highly anticipated derby match against Atlético Madrid, Bellingham said, "Saudi Arabia has great, fantastic stadiums. The organization here is perfect, and I hope to return to the Kingdom many times in the future." The young star added, praising the passionate fans, "The fans come here in incredible numbers, and we feel so supported, like we're at home. This gives us extra motivation to give our best." This hosting comes as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to boost the sports sector and attract international events. Saudi stadiums now rival their European counterparts in quality and facilities.
Tactical evolution and record-breaking numbers
Regarding his impressive performances this season, Bellingham explained the tactical differences in his role with Real Madrid compared to his previous stints, noting that he played in various positions last season, while his current role allows him the freedom to link up between all the team's lines. The player, who scored 15 goals in the first half of the season, emphasized that his primary focus is on the quality of his play and his collective contribution, rather than simply scoring goals. This tactical shift was implemented by Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti to optimize his goal-scoring abilities.
Vinicius supports and denies rumors
In a related development, Bellingham demonstrated leadership within the dressing room by defending his Brazilian teammate Vinicius Junior, stating, "Vinicius is a fantastic and exceptional player, and it's our duty as a team to support him so he can perform at his best." He also used the press conference to deny rumors about his involvement in transfer policy, saying, "It's not true that I asked the club to sign specific players from the Premier League. There are a lot of things being said in the media that lack accuracy.".
Preparing for the derby and denying disagreements
Bellingham concluded his remarks by refuting reports of tension between him and the coaching staff led by Carlo Ancelotti (where Xabi Alonso's name was mistakenly mentioned in some reports), emphasizing that the atmosphere within the team is ideal. He affirmed his complete readiness for the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against arch-rivals Atlético Madrid, a match promising plenty of excitement and fierce competition on Saudi Arabian soil.
