Jude Bellingham is eager to add to his fast-growing trophy collection with Real Madrid with a win in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024 final.
-
Real Madrid meet Mexican side Pachuca in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024 final
-
Bellingham is seeking his fifth title with the Spanish club
-
He spoke about the challenge of facing a team from another continent
Since landing at Real Madrid ahead of the 2023/24 season, Jude Bellingham has been a crucial part of Los Blancos’ success on both domestic and international fronts. In addition to claiming La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup, the England international also pocketed titles in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Super Cup.
No doubt his appetite for trophies has been whetted since arriving to the Spanish capital and he is eager for more. Opportunity knocks on Wednesday, this time in the final of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024™ against Mexican side Pachuca at Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
On the eve of when Real Madrid could once again proclaim themselves to be the best club in the world, Bellingham spoke to FIFA about the significance of playing in such an affair and adding another chapter to his fast-growing legacy at the club.
FIFA: What does it mean for Real Madrid to be playing in this final?
Jude Bellingham: It means a lot, you know? It’s an opportunity for another title and to tick off a good year of football for the club. We’ve earned our right to be here, just like the opposition, because of what we did in the Champions League. And it feels like we need to win this game to try to complete that achievement. So it means a lot to us to try and win another trophy.
How exciting is it for you to be playing in such a majestic stadium like Lusail?
It’s beautiful. I think the last time I was here we got knocked out of the World Cup, though. So I’m hoping to have better memories of the stadium and of the country than when we left. But even in the World Cup, I had such a great time. It was a couple of the best weeks of my life. To be back here and playing in front of a new audience and showing them the greatness of Real Madrid up close is a real honour.
What do you all see from Pachuca and how difficult is it to play an opponent you haven’t played before?
I think it’s really difficult. It’s a huge game for us. Obviously, the pressure of the final and the trophy is on the line. And then added to that an opposition with a style that we’re not used to. We’ve obviously done the reviews on the team and we’re always confident in our own ability, but there’s a huge respect and there’s a humility that we have to go into the game with in order to try and win this title.
How motivating is it to play a team from a different continent?
It’s amazing. It’s a great experience to be here playing in a different continent and then to play against a team that we’re not used to. It’s another great experience. It’s all things that stand us in good stead going through the season. Obviously a title tomorrow will do a load for our confidence as well.
Just how rewarding is it to win titles with Real Madrid?
I think for me, it’s the biggest privilege in my life. The last year being able to win a few titles and obviously having the chance to have another one tomorrow, it’s really amazing. I think a lot of it is relief because of the greatness of the club. We’re always trying to live up to what the club’s done in the past, so to be able to do that and have the opportunity to do that tomorrow is really important for us. It’s not something I take for granted.
Real Madrid are reigning European champions, so how impressive would it be to be FIFA Intercontinental Cup champions?
I think there’s no tournament that this club takes lightly. It’s a club that demands success, demands a winning mentality. We’ll have that definitely for tomorrow night as well. I think it’s important that we try and finish the year of football the best way that we can. With first, another title tomorrow, and then an important league game on the weekend.
View this post on Instagram
You’ll obviously want to score a goal to help your team win so you can give us your celebration. How did your celebration start? Was that spontaneous or did you plan it?
I’ve been doing it for a while since I was at Birmingham. I think the first time it really took off actually was when I was here for the first World Cup game of my career. Since then, it’s something that’s kind of blossomed into something that people really enjoy seeing. And I’m very grateful for that. Hopefully I can give it to them tomorrow as well.
