Jude Bellingham claims he was unable to pass up the opportunity to join Real Madrid this summer and acknowledges that the Spanish club’s victory over Liverpool in the 2017 Champions League final was a “big factor” in his decision.
The 19-year-old’s transfer to Madrid has officially been finalized after Borussia Dortmund and the Spanish team reached a €133.9 million (£114.5 million) agreement.
Manchester City and Liverpool, who both made serious efforts to capture the England international this summer, faced stiff competition from Madrid.
Bellingham, however, is convinced that once they expressed interest, Madrid was his top choice.
At his Thursday debut in Madrid, Bellingham declared, “For one thing, money is not a thing for me.”
“I never have and never will make decisions of this nature while considering money; I play the game purely out of love.”
“I spoke to the individuals when I received approval from Borussia Dortmund, including Juni [Calafat, Madrid’s chief scout], Jose Angel [Sanchez, Madrid’s CEO], and I love the feeling I got from the club; I couldn’t hide it.”
“I told them pretty much right away how I felt about the club because I wanted everything to happen right away after I made my decision,” you say.
The other teams weren’t awful or unworthy, it’s simply that, in my opinion, Real Madrid is the best.
Bellingham also disclosed that he decided to play in the La Liga after a covert meeting with Madrid’s recruitment staff.
To be honest, I can’t recall when I had the meeting where they came to my house and I was sold, so I don’t think it’s possible to pinpoint the specific time, Bellingham stated.
“That was the point at which it became clear to me.”
Like I stated, you always admire the club. There are a lot of factors that go into deciding to join a club, but watching them win the Champions League was another important one. I was present for the final when they defeated Liverpool.
Bellingham said that he declined the opportunity to play in the Premier League because he was keen to step outside of his comfort zone.
Of course, it’s difficult at national team camps and the World Cup because everyone wants me to return to England and play for their teams, which Bellingham said he genuinely appreciates.
“But I appreciate the thought of this being, if you like, outside of my comfort zone. My home England, where I could reside and play in the Premier League, might prove to be the simpler choice. However, I just couldn’t refuse Real Madrid. Because of how enormous the club is, it just felt like the correct choice for me.
Real Madrid is where I want to go, not because the other clubs were horrible, as I previously stated.
