Bellingham sends strong message to FIFA after concerning Club World Cup issues
Jude Bellingham has not been impressed with conditions at the Club World Cup and the Real Madrid star has called for improvements to be made before the 2026 World Cup
Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham has criticised the pitches at the Club World Cup and urged FIFA to ensure improvements are made ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The revamped Club World Cup is being played at 12 stadiums across the US and five of those venues will be used next summer.
However, Bellingham has not been impressed with the conditions after featuring in two games for Real Madrid and the 21-year-old has warned things need to change to "protect the players" before the World Cup.
"The pitches aren't great here, honestly," Bellingham said after his side's 3-1 win over Pachuca. "It's really hot, I know it's the same for everyone but I'm only saying because you asked me. The pitches aren't great at all.
"It holds up, the ball barely bounces and it's tough on the knees as well. Hopefully it's something that someone will look at, going into the World Cup next year. It's important that we protect the players as well as giving the fans a spectacle."
Bellingham has also confirmed he is set to undergo shoulder surgery after the tournament, having been managing an injury since 2023. "I've reached the point where the pain isn't so bad, but I was sick of playing with the sling," he explained.
"I'm losing a lot of weight from sweating so much, and I've decided that I'll have surgery after the tournament. I've been waiting for a long time, and my patience is running out, but the physios and doctors have been incredible. I just want to feel free."
Bellingham scored the opening goal against Pachuca, with Arda Guler and Federico Valverde also finding the back of the net for Xabi Alonso's side after Raul Asencio was shown a straight red card just seven minutes into the game.
"I'm not going to say that the three goals came because we worked on the midfielders' runs, but we did talk about it during the water break," Alonso said post-match. "They have the quality and their finishing was fantastic.
"It gave us an advantage in a difficult situation, as we were down to ten men from the seventh minute. The team showed discipline and sacrifice, knowing how to control the game without the ball. We knew that if we recovered it, we could get out and that's how the goals came.
"Going 3-0 up was important so that we didn't have to push too hard if we conceded, as happened afterwards. It's a victory that strengthens us a lot in terms of our football and our morale to compete in this tournament.
"We had to defend with a player fewer in a low block and you have to know how to suffer and have the humility to find the right moment. The defensive line held the area well and we had good periods of possession.
"We took a lot of positives from the game, especially the three points. We weren't able to show what we've been working on. We had to adapt to the game by staying balanced and maintaining possession so that the players felt comfortable."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
22 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Brazilian clubs are upending the global order at the Club World Cup
'The graveyard of football is full of 'favourites',' warned Botafogo manager Renato Paiva in what has proven to be this summer's coldest line in sweltering United States heat. Gritty draws achieved by Palmeiras against Porto and Fluminense against Borussia Dortmund at the Club World Cup were enough to start a conversation. But the underdog heroics of Brazil's other two clubs have shaken up how we see club football across the world. For the first time since Corinthians shocked Chelsea in Yokohama in 2012, when some Brazilian fans sold their homes and vehicles to make the trip, the reigning Copa Libertadores champions have beaten the Champions League winners. Igor Jesus, who has been strongly linked to Nottingham Forest, scored the only goal of the game as Botafogo beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, a special setting for Brazilians given it is where they won the World Cup in 1994 and honoured the recently deceased Ayrton Senna. Not to be outdone by their Rio rivals, Flamengo erased some of the hurt of losing to Liverpool in 2019 – when the Brazil forward Roberto Firmino scored the winner – by beating Chelsea 3-1 to guarantee a place in the knockouts. It was also the first time a Brazilian club has beaten a European side by two goals since Vasco da Gama embarrassed Manchester United in 2000. 'It was a remarkable victory, against a team that needs no introduction,' said Flamengo No 7 Luiz Araújo after the win against Chelsea. 'It has a special flavour not only because of the size of the opponent, but also because of all our preparation and dedication up until now. We deserved the result and we want more. Old heads will be quick to remind us that this is the usual order being restored. Throughout the 20th century, Brazilian sides regularly got the better of those from the Old Continent. Pelé scored five goals as Santos beat Benfica 8-4 over two legs in the 1962 Intercontinental Cup final; he scored four in the final the following year as Santos saw off the mighty Milan. In 1981, Flamengo thrashed Liverpool in the final; and in the 1990s São Paulo beat Barcelona's 'Dream Team' in 1992 and then dispatched the great Milan team of the era the following year. There were valid arguments for the Brasileirão being the strongest domestic league in the world. At the Club World Championship in 2000 – a similar tournament to the one in the United States this year – the best European sides visited Brazil and were soundly beaten. Manchester United, fresh off winning the treble, did not qualify from their group and Real Madrid were knocked out in the semi-finals. Two Brazilian clubs – Corinthians Brazil and Vasco da Gama – contested the final. Despite the odd recent victory for Brazilian clubs – such as São Paulo beating Liverpool in 2005, Internacional overcoming Barcelona in 2006, and Corinthians winning against Chelsea in 2012 – the tide has turned against them in this century. A generation ago, when Brazilian clubs were under less pressure to sell their stars, players such as Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos did not move across the Atlantic until they were well into their 20s, keeping the league strong. Now, however, the clubs are financially mismanaged and have to sell their best talents for a relative pittance when they are teenagers. On top of that, TV rights money in Europe and the financial doping of state-run clubs provided further disparity. At the Club World Cup, however, matters are being decided between the white lines and away from the boardroom. 'Football is played on the pitch, 11 against 11,' says Araújo. 'We have great teams in Brazil who are all capable of facing any team in the world. Flamengo always goes on the pitch to win, regardless of who is on the other side.' The facts don't lie. The four Brazilian teams are unbeaten in the tournament and top of their groups, having scored 14 goals and conceding just four. 'The victories show the strength of Brazilian football,' says Fluminense manager Renato Gaúcho, who dismisses the argument that European sides are tired after a long season. 'If a Brazilian club loses, they say: 'Ah, Brazilian football can't measure up to European football'. If they win, they say: 'Ah, European football is coming back from holiday'. That doesn't exist in football!' He points out that the teams usually meet at the end of the calendar year, when Brazilian clubs are coming off an even more exhausting season. 'When European football catches Brazilian clubs having played between 70 and 80 games a year, nobody makes that excuse. Nobody says: 'Ah, the Brazilian team is tired'. When the European team crushes them, then they say: 'Ah, we really can't measure up to them.' Brazilian football has been having a great Mundial, overcoming powerful opponents and achieving results. This shows that money alone does not always win matches. 'Yes, there is no way to compete with the Europeans in terms of finances; they can sign great players and form very strong teams, but football is decided on the field. And, on the field, today, Brazilian football and the Brazilian people have to be very proud of what Brazilian clubs have been doing. When many people didn't believe this would happen, it is happening.' Palmeiras boss Abel Ferreira has also balked at the idea that European clubs are tired, saying the number of games 'excuse' is 'a lie' – and something that Brazilian clubs have had to cope with in the past. 'When we go to the Mundial, we're also at the end of the season. Porto has 50 games; Palmeiras has 36 already. And when we go to play in a Mundial, we'll have more than 70 games. These are excuses.' To their credit, Luis Enrique and Enzo Maresca did not make excuses and were very gracious in defeat. But not everyone has been as generous. Marc Cucurella said Chelsea struggled in the heat and the Borussia Dortmund substitutes ridiculously sat inside the dressing room for the first half against Mamelodi Sundowns when the temperature was just 30.5C. Mauro Cezar, a hugely popular pundit in Brazil, says the European teams showed 'a certain arrogance' in not giving the tournament due respect. 'European teams entered this tournament without taking it as seriously as those from other continents. Of course, the heat is a hindrance for them, as is the fact that it's the end of the season. But if they have more money, better players and better coaches, they should compensate for these negative points by playing the minimum to overcome opponents who did not cause much concern, at least until the competition began. 'These arguments are valid, but they do not justify Paris Saint-Germain being unable to score a goal against Botafogo and barely threatening; Monterey drawing with Inter; Borussia Dortmund almost losing to Fluminense and conceding three goals to a South African team; Porto being dominated by Palmeiras; and Flamengo crushing Chelsea for practically the entire time. Claiming that the competition is not important does not justify this sequence of results against teams with much lower investment. Not facing this reality is yet another sign of arrogance.' Araújo, who saw the Chelsea players close up on the field, pushes back on the idea that they do not care about the tournament. 'No one goes on the field to lose; everyone wants to win,' says the Botofogo forward. 'The game against Chelsea was very competitive. Everyone defends their family, their shirt and the fans who are in the stands cheering them on.' The Flamengo manager Filipe Luís, who spent most of his playing career in Europe at Atlético Madrid, Chelsea and Deportivo, believes that Brazilian clubs have rebalanced the scales at the tournament but cannot compete with the very best 'eight or 10 clubs' from Europe. 'Apart from this elite, Brazilians are at the same level as the second European tier because of how we compete, how we understand the game, how we adapt to the climatic and field conditions. This elite is superior to us, but on the field anyone can win.' As Cezar points out, the 'big difference between Europe and South America is money', with Chelsea alone investing €1.5bn in their squad. 'This amount is equivalent to the combined debts of several Brazilian clubs; the disproportion is enormous. Since the European leagues have more global visibility and money, they naturally attract the best coaches and players. Consequently, they are more tactically, technically and even physically developed in some cases. However, when a Brazilian club, like Flamengo, which defeated Chelsea with authority, organises itself financially, with good players within the South American reality, and has a coach with a modern mentality, although very young and without much experience, the result is what we saw in Philadelphia.' We are only at the group stage of the Club World Cup but, whether it's merely a Fifa cash grab or a holiday camp for the European teams, the tournament has served an unexpected purpose for Brazil. It has united a society that is often polarised along the lines of politics, class and religion. And it has allowed Brazilians to take pride in the idea that not everything is always better over the water. This is an article by Tom Sanderson and Josué Seixas
Scottish Sun
25 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Liam Delap ready to bring even MORE aggression to Chelsea front line after wild Nicolas Jackson red card
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LIAM DELAP chose Rocky's hometown as the place to declare himself ready to rumble at Chelsea. Their new £30million striker is a world away from the famous 'Italian Stallion' given he was born in Winchester. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Liam Delap is ready to show his aggression in a Chelsea shirt Credit: Getty 5 Striker rival Nicolas Jackson was sent off for a reckless challenge at the Club World Cup Credit: Getty And he sits down on a comfy chair in the luxurious Jean-Groges restaurant on the 60th floor of downtown Philly's sumptuous Four Seasons hotel, looking immaculate in a box-fresh club tracksuit. But Delap is proud of the fact he loves a scrap on the pitch, within reason of course. No player was booked more times than him last season with Ipswich Town. A dozen yellow cards as he walked the line for a team fighting for survival in the Premier League relegation zone. As many cautions as goals. READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS END OF THE WORLD? Chelsea face awful Club World Cup last 16 draw after Flamengo collapse He is bringing that to his new club and has already shown glimpses of the aggression which is in his DNA. Refusing to cower to defenders, claiming a classy assist on his debut, throwing a football at the bowed head of Flamengo midfielder Jorginho, formerly of Chelsea, then apologising seconds later. It's not boxing. It's not beanie-hatted Sly Stallone throwing right hooks into hanging slabs of cow in the meatpacking district, but it is the kind of centre forward fans love. And Delap is ready to deliver. He said: 'Yeah, I love those battles. I always have since I was a kid. I really love the aggressive side of it and the competitive nature of the squad. It's got to be controlled at times but it's my game ultimately and I enjoy it. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 'I've always had that same edge as a kid and I'm not going to change the way my mindset is. You've just got to make sure you're on the right side of the edge. 'I played every sport in school. Anything that could get me out of a lesson. I just enjoyed the competitive nature of it, whether it was rugby or rounders. BBC pundit names England's long-term successor to Harry Kane after Premier League star's 'bullying' performance 5 5 'Last season was my first playing in the Premier League, playing with VAR so it's something that I'm going to have to get used to and work my way around to try and get less yellow cards. 'But it's not something I'm worried about. I think I can control my emotions when I need to. Maybe I'm a little bit old school but it is the way I play and I don't want to change it.' Juggling the actions of leading the line and getting into trouble is a difficult balancing act. Delap has been signed to put pressure on current Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson - currently suspended in both the Club World Cup and Premier League for getting a little too physical. You could argue that they are two of a kind. Delap played a large part of last season with broken ribs to valiantly battle away for Ipswich when they were on the ropes. Centre forwards win people over by getting stuck in. Jackson was sent off four minutes after coming on in Friday's disastrous 3-1 defeat by Flamengo for putting his studs into an opposing defender's shin. Delap said: 'Everyone playing football plays close to the edge a little bit. You have to be aggressive, on the front foot all the time. 5 'I was right in front of it when it happened. It was so unlucky. He has obviously not meant to do it. These things happen in football and I am sure he will get over it. 'With the size of the club there's always going to be competition and I think players thrive off that competition. You're going to work that little bit harder and try to compete. 'It's Chelsea, it's going to be tough and it's going to be competitive. And that's what you relish.' Delap, 22, harbours ambitions to win big with his new club. He fits the club model of promising young player with plenty of potential. He has signed a six year contract and opted for the Club World Cup rather than Euro 2025 with England Under-21s as he looks to bed in. There's history with Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca from their days together at Manchester City. And a reunion with former City academy players Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia. Delap said: 'I've got a good relationship with the manager. I know how he plays. I've played in his system before. 'I know a lot of the players here and the project of the club, how they see the future. That's what excited me. 'We've got a good core of English boys here. I've spent a lot of time with them. I obviously know a few people here already so I've been spending time with them. 'I've known Cole since I was 15, playing at City with him. I've got a good relationship with him so it was nice to see a familiar face. 'I had my sights set on the Euros all season and I was really looking forward to that. But I signed here and they wanted me to be here. I want to be here as well. I need to get to know everyone so that's why I'm here.' Ipswich turned to famous superfan Ed Sheeran to persuade Delap to sign for them last summer and leave behind Manchester City. Delap said: 'Yeah I had a little FaceTime with him. 'I think he was heavily involved with Ipswich so it was nice to speak to him. 'It was just a token that Ed was really involved in Ipswich and a lot of people were close to him.' Chelsea had the simple magnetism of Champions League football - which means a bigger spotlight on him now. Delap said: 'I am just here to play football. I don't look at everything from the outside. I am at a big club now but my mind is strong enough to not let it affect me. 'It is hard to ignore at times but it is just how you take it and you can brush it aside and stay confident. 'I'm really excited. One of the reasons I started playing football was to play in the Champions League.' Join SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge
Scottish Sun
25 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Transfer news LIVE: Darwin Nunez ‘open' to Napoli switch, Chelsea ‘enter' race for PSG star, Pogba ‘AGREES' new deal
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue. IN AND OUT IN AND OUT Transfer news LIVE: Darwin Nunez 'open' to Napoli switch, Chelsea 'enter' race for PSG star, Pogba 'AGREES' new deal THE thrills and spills of the summer transfer window are well underway with some huge deals in the pipeline. Transfer Guru Fabrizio Romano has reported that Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is open to a Napoli switch after being presented with Antonio Conte's project. Chelsea has entered negotiations for PSG star Randal Kolo Muani, according to reports. And Paul Pogba has reportedly agreed a deal with Ligue 1 side Monaco as he nears a return to football after almost two years out. FOLLOW THE CLUB WORLD CUP ON DAZN Follow ALL the latest news, moves and completed deals with our live blog below...
