The England international was determined to enjoy himself after securing Champions League glory at Wembley, and the ex-Three Lions skipper was happy to pay tribute to him
Carlo Ancelotti said that Real Madrid were “not going to sleep” after securing the club’s 15th European crown, and Jude Bellingham proved his point.
The England international starred as Real beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley thanks at second half goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr, with the latter being teed up by Bellingham before scoring.
The former Dortmund star, who has had a stellar first season in the Spanish capital, cut an emotional figure on the bench after being substituted shortly before the end of the match, and when he spoke to TNT Sports after the win it was clear what winning the trophy meant to him.
“I have always dreamed of playing in these games,” he said. “You go through life and there are so many people saying you can’t do things and days like today remind you why…When it gets hard at times you start to wonder if it’s all worth it. Nights like tonight make it all worth it.
“I was okay until I saw my mum and dad’s faces. The nights they could have been home at seven o’clock but they are still out at eleven or twelve taking me to football. My little brother there who I am trying to be a role model for too. It’s hard to put it into words. It’s the best night of my life.”
Bellingham’s family accompanied him onto the Wembley pitch after the win, with the midfielder even getting a photo of his mum with TNT Sports pundit Jose Mourinho, but it was after the on-pitch celebrations that Real Madrid’s party really began.
The 20-year-old shared a picture of himself inside the Wembley dressing room with the trophy on his Instagram Story, before posing for pictures with two of Real Madrid’s unheralded backroom staff, Ivan Ortega and physio Pedro Belon.
He also shared a video from teammate Brahim Diaz’s account of himself dancing on the plane as Real Madrid headed back to Spain for more celebrations, and then also shared an image of David Beckham from outside his home in Miami.
Beckham, the former Real Madrid star, stood shirtless and copied Bellingham’s now iconic celebration, adding the caption “Hey Jude!” Bellingham is now set for a few well-earned days off before joining up with England ahead of Euro 2024.
Ancelotti, who celebrates his 65th birthday a week on Monday, said: “I don’t know what is going to happen tonight – but we are not going to sleep!”
He added: “It is the history and tradition of the club – and, of course, the quality of the players. The club is a family. We work together without problems and the atmosphere is really good in the dressing room.
“I need to thank the club and the players for having no big egos and being really humble. It seems like a dream – but it is reality. I am really happy. It was a really difficult game as usual. They played better in the first half, we played better in the second half. But a final is always like this.”
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