GARETH SOUTHGATE told Jude Bellingham to save his strength so that he is “psychologically fresh” when England’s Euros bid starts.
Under-23 manager Southgate has given the Real Madrid star six days off before he joins his team on Saturday.
7Jude Bellingham has lit up Real Madrid this season and got the same treatment himself back in Spain after Champions League glory at WembleyCredit: Reuters
7Real took the plaudits for a record 15th Champions League crownCredit: Splash News
Bellingham added to his happiness by putting the prize on his head.
So he won’t be able to play in Monday’s Euros warm-up game against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Newcastle or Friday’s game against Iceland at Wembley.
Bellingham, 20, helped Real win their 15th European Cup on Saturday by beating Borussia Dortmund, the team he used to play for, at Wembley.
The defender played his 47th game for his club and his country this season. On Sunday night, he was back in Madrid to celebrate in the Champions League.
When asked about Bellingham’s absence, Southgate said, “Rest and recovery are the most important things, and we will benefit from that.”That’s the rule of international sports. The most important thing is to figure out what that is. For Jude and the team as a whole, it’s about mentally turning off and healing. It’s all about being mentally healthy.
“This season has been great for him.” Getting to play for the best team in the world and doing so well all season has been amazing for him.
After setting up Vinicius Junior for Real’s second goal, Bellingham called it the “best night” of his life. This was by far the biggest accomplishment of his career so far.
After the game, the 29-cap star was cool for a short time, but he broke down in tears when he saw his family in the crowd..
7Bellingham was overcome when he greeted mum Denise after victoryCredit: Getty
He got all dressed up for Real’s Champions League win party on Sunday in Madrid at the Plaza de Cibeles.Thanks to SplashHe told TNT: “I was alright until I was up in my mum’s and dad’s face… and my little brother who I’m trying to be a role model for.”There are nights when his parents could be at home at 7 p.m., but instead they’re taking trips at 11 and 12 p.m. to take me to football.
7Bellingham, right, almost rejoices early after setting up Vinicius Junior for Real’s kιller second goal against the England star’s old club DortmundCredit: Reuters
Bellingham outshines Sancho on the night of his dreams at Wembley
THE very moment Vinicius Junior struck the second goal, Jude Bellingham sank to his knees, stretched out his arms and looked up at the sky, writes Charlie Wyett.
It was the moment that Bellingham had always dreamed of, to win the Champions League. The fact it came at Wembley, on home soil, made it that little sweeter.
Bellingham delivered the pass to Vinicius who scored to ensure that Real Madrid, remarkably, have now been the kings of Europe on 15 occasions.
It was the final kιck of the biggest game in Bellingham’s life as he was immediately replaced by Joselu in a tactical switch by Carlo Ancelotti.
With no Premier League teams involved, this was an English duel between Bellingham and Jadon Sancho. The west midlands v south London. Stourbridge versus Kennington.
It is obvious which of the two former team-mates won this scrap, although Sancho’s team should have put Real out of sight by half-time.
Ultimately, neither Englishmen had particularly dazzling games.
Sancho, on loan from Manchester United, started brightly and gave Real left-back Ferland Mendy a few uneasy moments.
Yet this was nothing like the performances he delivered against PSG to help his team to the final.
Instead, with three minutes remaining of normal time, Sancho was replaced by another Englishman, teenager Jamie Bynoe-Gittens.
There was to be no drаmа. Bellingham added this Euro title to his La Liga winner’s medal. Not forgetting he has also been voted as the La Liga player of the year.
Bellingham, featuring in his 42nd game of the season for Real, was unable to make much of an impact in his role wide left.
On the hour mark, he had touched the ball 35 times but had done little with it.
With the scores at 0-0, he somehow failed to score with a header when he was unable to make contact with a cross from Vinicius. Any touch and it would have been a goal.
By then, the keyboard warriors were out in force on social media, dishing out some laughable criticism of England’s greatest talent. Potentially, our greatest ever player.
Yet the inevitable happened and Dortmund were left to curse those missed chances.
A mistake by Sancho led to a Madrid corner and Dani Carvajal leapt highest to head them into the lead.
Bellingham had another chance but it was deflected wide by Nico Schlotterbeck.
But, with seven minutes left, he helped stick the knιfe in to help Vinicius score and ensure this is an evening he will never forget.
In the crowd were his dad Mark, mum Denise and brother Jobe, who got into the stadium five hours early
Bellingham’s mum was in tears as her son stepped up to get his medal. And let’s all hope Bellingham will be lifting another trophy in Berlin on July 14.
“I can’t have dreamed it much better than this. I just can’t believe it.”
Fans then thronged the streets back in Madrid on Sunday – saluting their heroes, notably Bellingham for his staggering first season with the Spanish giants.
The ex-Birmingham ace has scored 25 goals this campaign.
Southgate added: “I am absolutely delighted for him to win.
“His parents have to take enormous credit because the way he comes across in his interviews is the way he is. He is authentic. That is how he is — every day.”
England team-mate Kieran Trippier, who will captain England on Monday because Harry Kane will not be starting, said: “He doesn’t seem like a 20-year-old. He is so mature for his age.
“Jude has pressure playing for Real Madrid and he has taken it in his stride and all the boys are absolutely delighted for him.
“We’re looking forward to meeting up with him and hopefully he can bring that form with him to England.”
People sаy I need to show more for my country. I don’t mind pressure. I feel like I can definitely be a lot better for the national team.
Phil Foden
After a great season with Manchester City, Phil Foden knows that the stars will be on him at Euro 2024 as well.
He is also keen to show that he can keep up that level of play for England.
Foden, 24, was named Premier League player of the season because he did so well playing in the middle of the field.
“There’s a lot of pressure on my shoulders,” he said after his first game as a McDonald’s Fun Football representative.
“A lot of people tell me I should do more for my country.”I’m okay with the strеss. I am sure that I can do a lot better for the national team.
“I’m so ready to put on the shirt, show everyone they’re wrong, and keep up my form.”
7Phil Foden, right, agrees he could step up to the plate more for England, like midfielders Declan Rice and Bellingham have doneCredit: AFP