Jude Bellingham Opens Up on Mental Health: “I Do Need Someone, Just Like Everyone Else”

Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham has spoken candidly about mental health, sharing his own experiences of vulnerability and self-doubt. In a heartfelt conversation with Laureus, the 22-year-old midfielder addressed the pressures of modern life, the challenges that come with fame, and the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding emotional struggles.

Bellingham acknowledged how social media has intensified the scrutiny athletes face today, saying, “With the development of social media and technology, there’s more ways to attack someone in modern days.” His comments highlight a reality that many young players, and even fans, can relate to, where every mistake, thought, or post can instantly become the target of public criticism.

Why Do Athletes Struggle to Talk About Mental Health?

Despite his success, Bellingham admitted that he has often found it difficult to open up about his emotions. “There’s now still a stigma around talking about mental health… as 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,” he said.

His honesty resonates with a generation raised in an age of filters and expectations. Behind the trophies and viral highlights, even top athletes experience fear, loneliness, and the pressure to appear invincible. Bellingham’s admission that “the truth is, I do need someone, just like everyone else” strips away that illusion and reminds fans that emotional strength often begins with honesty.

He also urged others to seek help and not bottle up their struggles. “You’ll feel much better if you talk about your feelings and emotions,” he added, emphasizing that openness doesn’t make anyone weaker; it makes them human.

Bellingham believes that when athletes choose transparency, it can create real change. “As athletes, it seems like we have the world at our feet or in our hands. But the reality is that if we can show our vulnerability, it opens up a broader dialogue for people who are struggling in the dark.”

For him, leadership is about using his platform to inspire awareness and empathy. “It is the duty of people like me, and those of us in these positions, to be role models.”

By Yockshard Enyendi