Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are gearing up for an exciting showdown later today in the quarterfinals of the FIFA Club World Cup. Both sides come into the clash in good form—Dortmund riding a strong run of results, while Madrid are beginning to find their rhythm under new head coach Xabi Alonso.
Kylian Mbappe’s return is a big lift for the Spanish giants ahead of the high-stakes match, though Alonso remained non-committal about whether the French forward would start.
One name guaranteed to feature, however, is Jude Bellingham. The English midfielder is set for a special night as he goes up against his former club in this unique competition.
Bellingham speaks ahead of the clash
In his pre-match comments, Bellingham opened up about what it means to face Borussia Dortmund—a club where he made his name.
“I have a lot of respect for Dortmund and everyone there,” he said. “I made some incredible memories with them, and we came very close to winning the league in my final season—it was heartbreaking to miss out.”
Bellingham acknowledged the changes Dortmund have made since his departure, noting, “They’ve had another coaching change and seem to be playing better. Still, I hope we can control the match and come away with the win.”
Looking ahead to the game, Bellingham anticipated a tough contest but backed Madrid to prevail.
“It’ll be a challenging match with different conditions and a different stadium. But we’re confident in ourselves and want to dominate and win.”
Reflecting on last season, the 21-year-old admitted Madrid had underperformed by their own standards.
“Winning only two trophies last year wasn’t enough for a club like Madrid. The Club World Cup gives us a great chance to claim a major title.”
On the atmosphere in the U.S., Bellingham added, “Miami’s heat is tough, but I’m enjoying the experience. It’s a nice change of pace after a long season, and it helps to bond with teammates more closely.”
He also praised the tournament’s environment, saying, “We’re excited to be part of the Club World Cup. The stadiums are amazing, and it’s great to see packed stands whenever Madrid play.”
A family showdown that won’t happen
Tonight was set to be a memorable one for the Bellingham family, with Jude and his younger brother Jobe on opposite sides. However, Jobe will miss the game due to a suspension from accumulated yellow cards.
“He told me he wasn’t even aware of the suspension. It’s happened to us before, and it’s a real shame,” Jude said. “It would have meant a lot to our family, but hopefully another chance will come. That’s just football.”
Support for Trent Alexander-Arnold
When asked about how Trent Alexander-Arnold was coping with the news about Diogo Jota, Bellingham responded somberly.
“It was a really hard day. Trent and Diogo played together for five years—he’s trying to deal with it the best he can,” he said. “Everyone at the club sends their love to Diogo’s family. Life is precious.”
Final thoughts on Nico Williams
When asked about Nico Williams’ reported decision to turn down Barcelona, Bellingham kept it brief:
“He made his choice,” was all he said.
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