What was meant to be a moment of joy turned into a firestorm of controversy for Jude Bellingham, as the Real Madrid midfielder finds himself at the center of intense backlash from the club’s passionate fanbase following a goal celebration that many perceived as a direct imitation of Lionel Messi.
The incident occurred during a recent La Liga match, when Bellingham scored a crucial goal and celebrated by standing tall with arms extended—eerily similar to the iconic celebration Messi performed in front of Real Madrid fans at the Santiago Bernabéu in 2017. For many Madridistas, that moment remains a painful memory, and seeing one of their own seemingly recreate it was nothing short of betrayal.
Within minutes, social media platforms were ablaze with angry reactions. The hashtags #BellinghamOut and #NotOurPlayer began trending on X (formerly Twitter), as thousands of fans voiced their outrage. Many accused the English star of disrespecting the badge, the club’s history, and its loyal supporters.
“He knows exactly what that gesture means,” one fan posted. “You don’t wear white and copy the man who humiliated us in our own home. That’s not ignorance—that’s a choice.”
Bellingham, 21, has been a revelation for Real Madrid since joining from Borussia Dortmund, quickly becoming a fan favorite for his dynamic performances and emotional connection with the crowd. But this latest incident has seemingly unraveled much of that goodwill.
According to sources within the club, senior officials were caught off guard by the intensity of the backlash. While there’s no indication that Bellingham will face disciplinary action, the pressure is mounting from the stands—and some members of the Madrid board are reportedly concerned about the effect this could have on the squad’s harmony.
Mikel, a longtime season ticket holder at the Bernabéu, expressed what many others echoed: “We don’t care if it was intentional or not. That pose doesn’t belong here. Not in our stadium. Not in our shirt.”
While Bellingham has yet to issue an official statement, those close to him suggest that the celebration was not meant as a tribute to Messi, but rather a spontaneous expression of confidence. However, in the emotionally charged world of El Clásico rivalries, such nuances are often lost.
As the fallout continues, questions remain: Will Bellingham be able to repair his image among Madridistas? Will the club come forward to clarify or support the young star? And most importantly, can he maintain focus as the team fights for multiple titles in the coming months?
For now, what’s clear is that Jude Bellingham has gone from hero to lightning rod in a matter of seconds—and the echoes of one gesture may haunt him at the Bernabéu longer than anyone expected.
