Jude Bellingham’s attitude has come under fresh scrutiny after the Real Madrid star appeared to mock Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal in a post-match Instagram message following El Clasico.
The 22-year-old midfielder, who scored the winner in Madrid’s 2-1 triumph at the Bernabeu, posted a picture of himself celebrating with arms outstretched, captioned: ‘Talk is cheap. Hala Madrid siempre.’
The message was widely interpreted as a response to Yamal, 18, who had inflamed tensions before the game by accusing Madrid of ‘stealing and complaining’.
It comes amid a tense spell for Bellingham on the international stage. The midfielder was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad earlier this month, with the head coach warning that ‘standards of conduct are non-negotiable’ when asked about his absence.
Tuchel has said he will speak to Bellingham before deciding whether to recall him for next month’s World Cup qualifiers.
Former Sky Sports duo Richard Keys and Andy Gray believe Bellingham’s social media dig and wider behaviour show signs of a player losing perspective.
Speaking on beIN Sports after the match, Keys argued that the England international’s attitude has become a growing problem despite his undeniable talent.
‘I think he’s got all of the attributes to be one of the best if not the best England have ever had in the position that he plays,’ Keys said.
‘But he has an over-busy dad, who is unpopular and making him more and more unpopular by feeding him the sort of nonsense he came out with prior to the last tournament.
‘If he wants his place back and to be part of the upcoming World Cup squad, he’s got some friends to have to make again.
‘And that for me needs a major shift in his attitude. Not his talent, there’s no questioning that. His attitude is all wrong.’
Gray echoed his colleague’s view, reflecting that Bellingham’s conduct must now align with Tuchel’s high standards.
‘If one man, no matter how good he is, is affecting the national team to the extent that you say he is, then you can’t take him,’ he said.
‘But if that talent is there and he’s accepting of everything that’s being said about him and accepting of the group, getting himself involved again because I really can’t see England letting a talent like that sitting on his backside in the UK.’
Bellingham doubled down online after the game by adding Elvis Presley’s ‘A Little Less Conversation’ to his Instagram story, a thinly veiled reference to Yamal’s pre-match remarks.
The post reignited questions about the midfielder’s temperament, coming just weeks after Tuchel’s warning over behaviour and selection standards.
Bellingham, who missed several weeks earlier this season after shoulder surgery, has been left out of recent international camps as Tuchel builds a squad he says is ‘based on spirit, cohesion and the right attitude’.
The England star’s family have also drawn attention in recent months. His father Mark, who acts as agent to both Jude and younger brother Jobe, has been a vocal presence around their careers.
He was recently reported to have clashed with Borussia Dortmund officials over his younger son’s playing time.
On the pitch, Bellingham’s influence remains unquestionable.
His assist for Kylian Mbappe and winning goal against Barcelona sealed Real’s fifth successive victory in all competitions and extended their lead at the top of LaLiga to five points.
Real boss Xabi Alonso praised his midfielder’s form after the match, maintaining that Bellingham ‘is back to his best’ after shoulder surgery and has produced ‘three very good games’ in the space of a week.
Madrid return to action against Villarreal next weekend, while Tuchel is expected to name his England squad for November’s qualifiers in the coming fortnight.
