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Dortmund players reportedly happy that Bellingham left for Real Madrid
It is reported that the players of Borussia Dortmund are relieved by Jude Bellingham’s departure to Real Madrid, as they perceived him to always seek the spotlight and attention.
According to Bild, Dortmund players believe that Bellingham often wanted to be the center of focus and felt overshadowed by players like Erling Haaland. Allegedly, Bellingham would frequently applaud the fans on his own after matches rather than with his teammates. Despite being asked to lead the team on multiple occasions last season, his colleagues felt that he lacked leadership qualities and exhibited moodiness, which reportedly led to tensions within the squad.
Additionally, some players questioned Bellingham’s behavior towards his colleagues, as he was supposedly unkind on a few occasions. The report cites an incident where he allegedly insulted Nico Schulz after Dortmund was eliminated by Rangers in the Europa League during the 2021-22 season.
According to lip readers, he reportedly said, “You can’t play a f***ing pass, you’re f***ing s**t! Every damn time!”
Jude Bellingham’s reported behavior was not an isolated incident, with several instances of him allegedly snapping at his teammates during the previous season. However, the situation has shown improvement under the leadership of the new club captain, Emre Can, who is believed to have injected a positive and revitalizing atmosphere into the team’s dressing room.
Bellingham’s successor, former Manchester United midfielder Marcel Sabitzer, has been well-received by his teammates, enhancing team dynamics. In addition, experienced players like Sebastian Haller have taken on more prominent roles in the team council, particularly for English-speaking players.
Despite his reported challenges at Dortmund, Bellingham has apparently settled well into his new surroundings at Real Madrid. The club agreed to an initial transfer fee of €103 million (£89 million/$110 million) for his services, with the potential to increase by an additional €30 million (£26 million/$32 million) based on certain performance targets.
Bellingham has already made an impact at Madrid, scoring in their La Liga opener against Athletic Club. As he prepares for the second game against Almeria, the midfielder aims to replicate his successes and contribute positively to his new team.