Real Madrid star and England international Jude Bellingham has stepped away from the usual rhetoric of elite athletes to open up about a subject that remains taboo in football: mental health. As an ambassador for Laureus, the young midfielder shared an honest reflection on the pressures athletes face, the weight of social media, and the importance of showing vulnerability without fear of judgment.

Bellingham and the invisible weight of social media

The footballer recalled his early days at Birmingham City, when he was just a teenager starting to make a name for himself. “I used to search my name on Twitter and read everything people said about me. If the comments were positive, I felt validated; if they were negative, I fell apart. Eventually, I realized it made no sense to let the opinions of strangers define who I am,” he explained.

Bellingham admitted that while social media can be a positive way to connect with fans, it can also become a source of anxiety. “There’s already enough pressure in professional sports without going out to look for more. That’s why I decided to stay away from the negative comments. They don’t affect me, but I’d rather not see them,” he confessed.

The Englishman also lamented that there’s still a stigma around discussing mental health in football. “There have been moments when I’ve felt vulnerable, when I’ve doubted myself and needed to talk to someone, but I tried to keep up the image of ‘I don’t need anyone.’ The truth is, I do—just like everyone else,” he admitted.

A call for empathy and cultural change in sports

Bellingham believes athletes should use their platform to inspire a shift in mindset. “People think players have it all, but that doesn’t make us immune. Showing vulnerability can open up a wider conversation for those suffering in silence,” he said.

At Real Madrid, the midfielder says he feels supported by a strong environment: “I have coaches, teammates, and staff I can talk to if I’m not feeling well. Emotional support is just as important as physical support.”

He also highlighted the power of sport as a social force. “Football brings people together—it makes you talk, laugh, and connect. Sometimes, without realizing it, you find someone you can share your struggles with. That’s the real power of sport,” he concluded.

At just 22 years old, Jude Bellingham shows that strength isn’t only measured by goals or assists, but also by the ability to acknowledge doubt and reach out to others going through the same shadows.