Jude Bellingham has said he expected to be “anonymous” at the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup in the US – only for Real Madrid’s “incredible” level of support to include fans mounting scaffolding in an attempt to see inside the team bus.
Madrid face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals of the expanded competition on Wednesday (20:00 BST), returning to New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, where more than 76,000 supporters watch them beat Borussia Dortmund – Bellingham’s former club – 3-2 in the last eight.
“It’s strange because you think you can go to those cities in America and no one will know who you are,” Bellingham told Madrid’s website.
“You’ll be able to walk around the hotel or the city and be anonymous, but… when we were in New York, there were people on scaffolding outside the hotel trying to see what was happening on the bus. It’s incredible and the matches are crazy.”
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Jude Bellingham: Madrid appearances landmark
Eleven days after his 22nd birthday, Bellingham will reach 100 appearances for Madrid if he makes his sixth start of the tournament against the European champions.
“I want to continue achieving huge goals,” said the 2023/24 Champions League, LaLiga and Spanish Super Cup winner.
“To help the team win the two remaining games, take the trophy to Madrid and continue to perpetuate the magnificent greatness of the club.
“The expectations are huge because it’s the biggest club in the world, but I love all this and I certainly want to be a part of it.”
Jude Bellingham: Madrid position ‘different’
As well as Dortmund, Madrid have beaten Pachuca – helped by a Bellingham goal – Salzburg and Juventus since an opening draw with Al-Hilal in the hugely lucrative competition.
“It’s different because in every game I feel lucky to be able to analyse tactically how I’ve played,” reflected the two-time Euro finalist.
“I play different roles in the same game. I have defensive responsibilities and others when I have the ball. Every game is an opportunity to play differently.
“I like it when I’m on the team sheet and find out where I’m going to play. As I’ve always said, I’ll do whatever it takes for the team, whatever position I’m in.
“One of my strengths is that I can play in different positions, and I like how the coaches see that in me. I can fulfil any role for them.”
Xabi Alonso: Madrid ‘in good place’
Bellingham praised new manager Xabi Alonso, who succeeded the hugely successful Carlo Ancelotti before the Club World Cup.
Alonso won every major domestic competition and the 2013/14 Champions League as a midfielder for the club between 2009 and 2014.
In his first managerial role, the Spaniard won the Bundesliga title and the German Manager of the Year award in 2024 with former club Leverkusen.
“We’re a team that enjoys playing, as always, but especially with the new ideas and this new enthusiasm with the new coach and his coaching staff,” said Bellingham. “We’re in a good place and I’m enjoying this new phase.”
Jude Bellingham stats
Former Birmingham City prodigy Bellingham joined Dortmund as a 17-year-old for £25 million in 2020 and was the Bundesliga Player of the Season in 2023/24.
He came third in the Ballon d’Or and Fifa Best vote in 2024, having joined Madrid for an initial £88.5m in June 2023 and contributed 23 goals and 10 assists in 42 games in his first campaign.
Those figures helped Bellingham win the LaLiga Player of the Season award, although he scored eight fewer goals in 2024/25 while matching that assist total.
England made Bellingham their third-youngest ever debutant when he came on in a 3-0 win against Ireland at Wembley Stadium in November 2020.
Having represented his country at youth levels, Bellingham swiftly established himself as a starter and has scored six goals in 44 senior international appearances, including a 95th-minute overhead kick against Slovakia to keep England at Euro 2024 as part of a 2-1 win over Slovakia after extra time in the last 16.
Real Madrid Fifa Club World Cup 2025 fixtures, schedule, results
Real Madrid are looking to add to their five previous triumphs in the modern competition as one of 32 teams taking part in the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup.
Los Blancos are the most successful team in Club World Cup history, triumphing in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022, with the competition featuring seven sides on each occasion.
Here are their latest fixtures and results.
Semi-finals
Wednesday, July 9
Madrid vs PSG (New Jersey, 20:00)
Quarter-finals
Madrid 3-2 Dortmund (New Jersey)
Round of 16
Tuesday, July 1
Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus (Miami)
Group stage
Wednesday, June 18
Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal (Miami)
Sunday, June 22
Group H: Real Madrid 3-1 Pachuca (Charlotte)
Friday, June 27
Salzburg 0-3 Real Madrid (Philadelphia)
Real Madrid Club World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin, Fran Gonzalez, Sergio Mestre
Defenders: Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Alexander-Arnold, Lucas Vazquez, Fran Garcia, Rudiger, Mendy, Huijsen, Youssef, Jacobo, Asencio, Fortea, Diego Aguado
Midfielders: Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Modric, Tchouameni, Arda Guler, Ceballos, Chema, Victor Munoz, Mario Martin
Forwards: Vinicius Jr, Mbappe, Rodrygo, Endrick, Brahim, Gonzalo
Real Madrid at the Club World Cup: Live stream, TV channel in UK
Live coverage of 40 of the matches is on DAZN, with 23 on Channel 5. DAZN Subscribers or Freemium member can tune in as part of their existing membership, while non-subscribers can register for a free account to start watching.
Fans can watch on the go via the DAZN App on smart TVs, phones, tablets, games consoles and streaming devices.
