According to Spanish outlet AS, after Real Madrid’s Champions League triumph, England manager Gareth Southgate congratulated Jude Bellingham and granted him a one-week holiday: “You don’t need to come to the team until Saturday.”
England won a friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0 on Monday, with Bellingham not featuring in the game.
Reflecting on Bellingham’s maiden season at Real Madrid, which ended with a Champions League title, Southgate praised: “It was an amazing season for him, joining one of the world’s top clubs and performing consistently at a high level. It’s been an incredible year, and I’m genuinely delighted for his Champions League success. Finishing the season as a champion is even more remarkable, and I’m proud of him.”
Bellingham’s maturity beyond his 20 years has been evident in his media appearances, and Southgate attributes this to his background: “The sincerity he showed in interviews is who he is. He remains humble and understanding, whether dealing with staff or teammates.”
Southgate also highlighted the strong personality needed to thrive at a club like Real Madrid: “I’m sure he had to earn the respect of players like Modric and Kroos, and he might have faced some underestimation on the training pitch. But he embraced those challenges, and that’s why he’s integrated so well. I have no doubt about that.”
Bellingham deserves to savor his double triumph of winning both La Liga and the Champions League, and Southgate expects the young player to make the most of this rare break before the upcoming Euros: “We could ask him to return immediately and push for integration, but that wouldn’t be sensible. We must consider his individual circumstances. Bellingham fought until the very end of the season, harder than anyone. A mental break will do him good, and his professionalism will aid his physical recovery. There’s no need for him to come back before Saturday.”