Bale urges Bellingham to "be a puppet" if he wants to avoid Real Madrid wrath

15 November 2023 , 15:16

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Bale urges Bellingham to "be a puppet" if he wants to avoid Real Madrid wrath

Gareth Bale has told Jude Bellingham he must "play the game" and "be a puppet" at Real Madrid if he wants to avoid being criticised.

The Welshman was previously the world's most expensive player following his switch from Tottenham to the Spanish capital. Bale spent eight years at the Bernabeu with varying degrees of success. He scored crucial goals in two Champions League finals, but often found himself at odds with the club's fans.

The Spanish press was particularly damning of the forward throughout his time whilst some of Bale's team-mates were also critical of some of his behaviour. Bellingham has proved to be a big hit since joining in the summer from Borussia Dortmund, but the Welshman has cautioned him against how things can quickly go wrong.

Bale said on A League of their Own : "The biggest advice [is] play the game at Madrid. If you don't play the game and do what the media want, speak to them and basically be a puppet, you do get a lot of stick. You'll see a lot of Galacticos, they'll act like Galacticos, do what the press want, playing the game of being at Real Madrid.

"That's probably where I was a bit of a downfall. I didn't want to do it. I just wanted to play football and go home. It hindered me and that made them attack me a bit more. So my advice would be, honestly, just play the game of Real Madrid off the field. You have to speak after games, make sure you try and speak in Spanish, do those kinds of things."

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Bellingham has already matched goalscoring records previously set by Cristiano Ronaldo as he continues to add elements to his game. The Englishman has come up with winning goals on numerous occasions - including in the recent Clasico win over Barcelona.

Jude Bellingham has enjoyed a sensational start to his Real Madrid career (Antonio Villalba/Real Madrid via Getty Images)

The former Birmingham City man has already outlined his desire to be at Real for the next decade and beyond. "With the big transfer the fact is I have to deliver, whether it is a goal or assist or a match-winning performance," he said. "This is the club I want to be at for the next 10 to 15 years of my life. I am loving it there."

Bellingham has been hailed for his courage having turned down offers to return to England, instead opting to challenge himself at what is arguably the most scrutinised club in the world. Next season the midfielder will also have to contend with a new manager with Carlo Ancelotti's departure already confirmed.

Samuel Meade