Former Liverpool Star Slams Jude Bellingham, Claims He Thinks He’s Better Than Teammates Ahead of Euro 2024 Final
With the Euro 2024 final against Spain just around the corner, tensions are running high among football fans. And one former Liverpool legend has weighed in on the debate surrounding England’s star midfielder, Jude Bellingham.
Markus Babbel, the former Liverpool, Bayern Munich and German international, has slammed Bellingham, accusing him of thinking he’s a "superstar" and being motivated by personal glory rather than the interests of the team.
"I’m not sure what Jude Bellingham’s best position is, because he’s running everywhere," Babbel said in an interview with Newbettingoffers.co.uk. "I have a feeling that he is now starting to think that he’s a superstar. And I don’t like this attitude. You don’t see it from players like say Bukayo Saka or Jamal Musiala."
Babbel, speaking to Mail Sport, continued his critique of Bellingham. "He should show his leadership on the pitch and do everything he can to win the game but also recognise that everyone on the team is important. Bellingham is 21 and everyone respects him because he is a natural leader, but I worry that he thinks the players around him are not good enough."
The former defender also implied that Bellingham’s attitude changed when he joined Real Madrid and found success with the Spanish giants. "But when the tournament is finished, he has a holiday and thinks: ‘Hey, maybe Markus Babbel is not wrong’."
Bellingham’s ability to handle pressure and lead on the pitch has been questioned by some fans this week. While he has been a key performer for England, his body language can sometimes be seen as negative or distracted when things aren’t going his way.
The Real Madrid midfielder has been at the forefront of England’s Euro 2024 charge, scoring crucial goals against Serbia, Slovenia, and Switzerland. However, Babbel suggests that Bellingham’s motivation isn’t solely focused on the Three Lions’ success.
"It was clear that he was on [a] different level than many other players," Babbel said. "On the pitch, he was always running from everywhere, and his goal-to-goals ratio is ridiculous. But when he gets upset or frustrated, he starts diving to grab attention. That’s not a sign of a good leader."
As England prepared to face Spain in the final on Sunday, Babbel’s comments set the tone for a tense atmosphere. Will Bellingham’s individual brilliance be enough to spur England to victory, or will questions about his attitude and motivation prove prophetic?
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