Bellingham’s Conversation with Mbappe, Vinicius, and Rodrygo in the Tunnel in Mallorca Draw Exposed
Real Madrid’s star-studded lineup made headlines not just for their performance on the pitch, but also for a candid exchange captured in the tunnel during their recent 1-1 draw with RCD Mallorca.
The clash at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix on Sunday evening saw Carlo Ancelotti’s side struggle to secure a win, despite a promising start.
In the first half, Brazilian forward Rodrygo gave Real Madrid a crucial lead in the 13th minute, courtesy of a well-orchestrated play involving Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr.
However, the home team responded with equal vigor. Vedat Muriqi’s equalizer in the 53rd minute ensured that Mallorca secured a share of the spoils, frustrating Real Madrid’s ambitions.
Amid the tension and urgency of the match, footage from the tunnel before the second half captured a revealing moment involving Jude Bellingham, Mbappe, Vinicius, and Rodrygo.
Bellingham, evidently feeling the strain of the game, addressed his teammates with urgency. “You three, we need to finish the attack, because the running back… is f***ing hard,” Bellingham urged, emphasizing the difficulty they were facing in converting their opportunities.
Mbappe, reflecting the same sense of frustration, responded, “That’s what I’m saying. We have to finish with something.”
The French forward’s concern was met with Bellingham’s strategic advice: “Yeah, even… create a yard and [shoot].” This brief yet intense exchange highlighted the players’ focus on refining their attacking play amidst a challenging match.
Bellingham: “You three, we need to finish the attack, because the running back… is f*cking hard.”
— TC (@totalcristiano) August 18, 2024
Mbappé: “That’s what I’m saying. We have to finish with something.”
Bellingham: “Yeah, even… create a yard and [shoot].” pic.twitter.com/Js6o6IcNMy
Post-match, Ancelotti did not shy away from critiquing his team’s performance. “Last year I was happy with some draws, but not today. We could have done much better. I don’t want to make excuses. We just had to do better, with more attitude. You can learn from these games. It’s clear where the problem is,” Ancelotti said, reflecting on the team’s inability to secure a win.
The veteran coach pinpointed the issues, saying, “We started the game well, but it wasn’t a good game. We need to defend better. We need more balance. We’ve said it before, we’re very offensive and balance is essential.”
He further criticized the team’s defensive approach, noting, “The problem is that the team was too open. We have to concentrate more, as we usually do. It’s not a physical or mental problem.”
Ancelotti also acknowledged the collective nature of the problem: “When we win the ball back, we all have to think about it together. It’s not a problem for one, two or three. It is a problem for a team that in this match did not understand that it was a key aspect.” He praised Mallorca for their defensive resilience, concluding, “The draw is correct.”
Looking ahead, Real Madrid will look to rebound from this draw as they prepare to face Real Valladolid at the Santiago Bernabeu this Sunday afternoon.
Bellingham’s Conversation with Mbappe, Vinicius, and Rodrygo in the Tunnel in Mallorca Draw Exposed