'I tried to maintain the macho athlete image' - Jude Bellingham opens up on periods of self-doubt and attacks 'mental health stigma' as Real Madrid and England star explains why he stopped reading social media comments

Bellingham has reflected on the emotional challenges that come with elite-level football. The Madrid star, who has become one of the sport’s biggest global stars at just 22, admitted that beneath the confident exterior, he has often battled with moments of vulnerability and pressure.

Speaking as a Laureus ambassador, Bellingham called for athletes to embrace honesty about mental well-being and reject the long-held stigma around discussing mental health in sport. 

“With the development of social media and technology, there are more ways to attack someone, to make them feel bad, and I think there's still a stigma around talking about mental health," the midfielder said, as quoted by Marca. "I know there have been times when I've felt vulnerable, doubted myself, and needed someone to talk to, but instead, I've tried to maintain that macho athlete image of 'I don't need anyone.' The truth is, I do, just like everyone else. And you'll feel so much better if you talk about your feelings and emotions.

"As athletes, it seems like we have the world at our feet or in our hands: we can do whatever we want, make a lot of money, and never be affected by it. But the reality is that if we're able to show our vulnerability, it opens up a broader dialogue for people struggling in the dark. It's the duty of people like me, and those of us who hold these positions, to be role models.

"I still think athletes are supposed to just shut up and take it easy, which is an outdated view. The love an athlete receives is extraordinary. But for every person or people who love you, there are others who despise you because of the team you play for or something you've done . That hate can be very hard on athletes, and I can truly empathize with those who struggle with mental health issues. Everyone has the right to their opinion about sports, but there should be limits to the horrible things that can be said . I'm not entirely sure how you can limit that on social media, but I think the support network around athletes is important."

The former Borussia Dortmund player also revealed how he changed his approach to online criticism after realising the toll it took on his confidence as a young player. He explained that constantly reading what others thought, both good and bad began to affect his self-worth. 

"When I was a young player in Birmingham, I used to type my name into Twitter and read everything that was said. But even if the comments were positive, I quickly decided: why should I let the opinions of people who don't know me validate what I think about myself?

"I believed I was a good player before reading it on Twitter, so what was the point of reading what other people were saying? Of course, if I came across negative comments, it would have the opposite effect. So, again, I asked myself: why am I putting that on my own mental health?"

The Madrid star believes social media can be both a blessing and a curse for modern athletes. While it offers players the chance to connect with fans and share genuine emotions, it also exposes them to a constant stream of judgment and negativity.

"There are aspects of social media that are very valuable for an athlete. More and more people are interacting with it, rather than with press conferences and TV interviews," he added. "When you can be honest and authentic with fans, it gives them a very clear idea of how you felt during a match or in your everyday life. It helps you become more relatable. However, as I discovered when I was a young player, there's also a negative element that I've now chosen to avoid, and I know many other athletes have too. There's already enough negativity and pressure in professional sports without going out of my way to seek it out. Now, when I read negative comments, they don't affect me, but I still prefer not to see them."

The 22-year-old recently returned to action after undergoing shoulder surgery earlier this year. He has made five appearances for Los Blancos since his comeback but was not included in England’s latest squad for the friendly against Wales and the World Cup qualifier against Latvia.

Bellingham remains focused on regaining full sharpness after the international break, with Madrid set to face Getafe in La Liga. The midfielder will be hoping to get back in form as they continue their push to stay top of the league table.

"The most important thing is confidence: when you have it, you feel like you can handle it forever," he added. "But when you don't have it, you can feel lower than low, like your feet aren't working, like your body isn't functioning. I'm sure there are ways to try to regain confidence, but you basically get it from performance, so it's almost a paradox. 

"I always try to keep my confidence high, whether through self-affirmation or accepting the fact that I'm not going to complete every pass, beat every player, or score and win every game . The more comfortable you are with that, the more comfortable you are with knowing that you're not perfect. "