Jude Bellingham drew attention during Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Deportivo Alaves, not for his usual influence in the final third, but for visible signs of frustration throughout the game.
Operating in midfield alongside Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler and Federico Valverde, Bellingham never appeared fully settled.
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His positioning and role seemed to be a recurring concern, and that was evident in his repeated interactions with the bench.
On multiple occasions during the match, he approached Alvaro Arbeloa to discuss his role on the pitch, suggesting a lack of clarity or comfort in how he was being utilised.
Unhappy with the change?
That tension became more noticeable when the midfielder was substituted.
His reaction did not go unnoticed, as he went off the pitch with his head down, minimal engagement, and a clear reluctance to acknowledge the moment.
Arbeloa attempted to greet him with encouragement, but the exchange lacked the usual warmth, reflecting the player’s mood at the time.
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Despite the visible frustration, the situation was quickly addressed after the match.
Arbeloa moved to ease any concerns, offering a reason behind the decision and downplaying the significance of Bellingham’s reaction.
The manager made it clear that the substitution was driven by caution rather than performance-related issues, especially given the player’s recent return from injury.
“We have another game on Friday. After what happened with Militao, I didn’t want to take any risks because I need him at his best for Friday,” said Arbeloa.
In situations like these, it is normal for a player of Bellingham’s stature to react in the way he did, meaning there is absolutely nothing to take note of from this incident.
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