Vinicius, Real Madrid need 'love' not whistles: Bellingham

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham said fans need to show "love" to Vinicius Junior and the rest of the team to get the best from them after Los Blancos hammered Monaco 6-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Vinicius scored and played a key part in three other goals in one of his best performances of the season, a few days after Madrid fans whistled and jeered him during a La Liga match against Levante.

Supporters showed their frustration at Vinicius and Bellingham in particular, as well as the team as a whole after some poor performances that led to coach Xabi Alonso being sacked and Madrid being knocked out of the Copa del Rey.

"(Vinicius) was really sharp, looked dangerous every time he had the ball, created loads," Bellingham told TNT Sports.

"I think he's a player who thrives when he gets love. You could see today when the kind of atmosphere changed towards him.

"He goes up leaps and bounds in his game and becomes so much more joyful to watch and to play with...

"I think that's the pressure that the kind of whistles put on a player. But now it seems like he's free from those shackles a little bit and hopefully he can continue."

Bellingham said playing in the 2-0 win over Levante on Saturday with the stadium on Alvaro Arbeloa's team's backs was a difficult experience for him.

"I've always said the fans pay their money, work all week and save up to come to Real Madrid games to support us," explained the England international.

"They're entitled to say what they want. (However) I don't think it's always very helpful for the team or for individuals.

"Speaking from experience now, I know it's not the nicest thing in the world, but of course they're entitled to their opinion."

Bellingham found the net late in the rout of Monaco and celebrated by chugging imaginary drinks, which was an apparent riposte to claims he has been enjoying Spanish nightlife.

"A lot of people say a lot of things, it feels like anyone now can get in front of a camera and say what they want and the whole world just believes them with no evidence," added Bellingham.

"It was a bit of a joke back to the fans and to the people who say whatever they want. For me, I know the truth. I know what really goes on in my personal life."

Stellar display

The Brazilian winger, named UEFA's man of the match, orchestrated the rout with several dazzling dribbles, two assists, and a spectacular goal.

However, the 25-year-old admitted after the match that the booing he has faced from the Bernabeu crowd in recent weeks had taken its toll.

"This performance means a lot, because of everything that has been happening in recent days," Vinicius told TNT Sports.

"The change of coach, losing the (Spanish Super Cup) final, being knocked out of the Copa del Rey playing for the biggest club in the world comes with high demands. Sometimes we don't understand the boos, but I know the size of the club and the weight of the shirt."

The hostility peaked during Saturday's La Liga match against Levante, where Vinicius was jeered throughout, particularly during the announcement of the starting lineup.

Fans were left disillusioned after a turbulent month that included a Spanish Super Cup defeat to Barcelona, an embarrassing 3-2 Copa del Rey exit to second division Albacete, and the abrupt sacking of manager Alonso after just seven months in charge.

Media reports of internal tensions, including clashes between Alonso and Vinicius, further darkened the mood at the Bernabeu.

But Tuesday's emphatic display, led by Vinicius, appeared to turn the tide.

"The only thing I can do is on the pitch to give my all. I won't always be technically perfect, but I will always give 100 percent for the team," Vinicius said.

"I don't want to be booed at home, where I feel comfortable. But the fans have their rights, and I am here to evolve. I want to stay at Real Madrid for a long time."

Since joining Real Madrid in 2018, Vinicius has been integral to the club's successes, winning the Champions League twice. He scored in both finals, against Liverpool in 2022 and Borussia Dortmund in 2024, the year he also won FIFA's The Best Award.

Agencies