Jude Bellingham rallied his Real Madrid team-mates to win a "different kind of title" as Los Blancos prepare for life without Carlo Ancelotti.
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2024-25 has been a disappointing campaignBellingham wants to make things right in CWCExcited to participate in the inaugural editionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
After enduring a disappointing domestic and European campaign, Madrid now turn their attention to a fresh challenge this summer. The Spanish giants finished the 2024–25 season without any major trophies, with their title defence officially ending after Barcelona secured the La Liga crown. However, Bellingham believes a unique opportunity awaits the team on a different stage.
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Ancelotti has already announced that he will leave the Spanish capital for Rio de Janeiro at the end of the season, and it is widely believed that Xabi Alonso will be his replacement. The Spaniard will have his task cut out as for Madrid, it’s not just about redemption, but a chance to become pioneers in football history by lifting the trophy in its inaugural edition.
WHAT BELLINGHAM SAID
In an interview with Bellingham said: "We have the opportunity to win a different kind of title, really. I think that's the truth: trying to be the first club to win it. Obviously, Real Madrid deserves that kind of recognition. But I also think it's being able to play somewhere I haven't played regularly, in the United States, and also playing against opponents I wouldn't normally get the chance to play against. So, I definitely think there are a lot of positives to it."
The tournament's novelty factor also adds an air of unpredictability, and Bellingham is intrigued to see how teams adapt.
"I think a lot of it is because it's the first one. So we're all interested to see what it's all about and how important it becomes going forward, and in this case, how many teams really push themselves," he said. "We're interested to see the dynamics of the tournament. But for us, like I said, it's a chance to win another title. It's a chance to be the first to win it, and it's not something we take lightly. So it's a bit historic, and like I've said, there aren't many things you can do at this club that haven't been done before. So it's good to have another opportunity."
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?
Madrid’s campaign will begin in Group H, where they’ve been paired with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, Mexican outfit Pachuca, and Austrian side RB Salzburg. Their opening match is scheduled for June 18 against Al-Hilal at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
