Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham opens up about the pressures of fame, mental health struggles, and the importance of vulnerability in football.
Being one of football’s brightest stars comes with more than just applause and headlines — and Jude Bellingham knows that all too well.
On World Mental Health Day, the 22-year-old midfielder shared a deeply personal reflection about life behind the spotlight, reminding fans that even superstars feel the weight of expectations.
Speaking as a Laureus Ambassador, Bellingham admitted that the mental side of the game can be tougher than anything on the pitch.
The England international revealed that during his early days at Birmingham City, he often searched his name on social media — a habit that eventually took a toll on his mental well-being.
“I used to put my name into Twitter and read everything,” he said. “Even if the comments were positive, I quickly decided: Why should I let the opinion of people who don’t know me validate how I think about myself?”
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He admitted that negative comments cut deep and that he had to learn to stop seeking validation from strangers. “With the development of social media and technology, there’s more ways to attack someone, to make them feel down,” he said.
“I know there’s been times where I’ve felt vulnerable, doubted myself, and needed someone to talk to — but instead, I’ve tried to keep up this macho athlete image of, ‘I don’t need anyone.’ The truth is that I do — everyone does.”
Jude Bellingham: “Athletes are told to shut up and take it”
Bellingham believes that many still view athletes as untouchable, but the truth, he says, is quite the opposite. “As athletes, it seems like we have the world at our feet,” he said.
“But the reality is, if we can show vulnerability, it opens up bigger conversations for people struggling in the darkness.”
He also spoke about the pressure to perform and how confidence can be fleeting. “When you have it, you feel like you can ride it forever,” he said. “But when you don’t, you can feel lower than low.”
The Real Madrid star credited his support system in Spain and emphasized that football can play a big role in helping players connect and talk.
“At Madrid, I’ve got great coaches, teammates, and staff I can speak to if I ever feel down,” he shared. “Football naturally brings people together — that’s the real power of the sport.”
Bellingham’s message on World Mental Health Day was clear: being open about your feelings is not weakness — it’s strength. And while he may dominate midfields across Europe, his honesty might just be his most powerful move yet.
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