Featured Image Credit: beIN Sports & Getty
Topics: Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid, Richard Keys, Football
Alex Brotherton
Topics: Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid, Richard Keys, Football
Richard Keys has branded Jude Bellingham 'arrogant' and claimed that he regularly breaks one rule in Spain.
Jude Bellingham reached new levels of stardom during his first season at Real Madrid, scoring 23 goals and assisting 13 more in 42 games to help his side win a La Liga and Champions League double.
However, the 21-year-old struggled to recreate that form for England at Euro 2024 as injury and fatigue took their toll.
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Bellingham is clearly a confident individual, but how that comes across changes when you go from playing well and dominating opponents to dishing out uninspiring performances.
Rightly or wrongly, many fans felt that the midfielder came across as arrogant in some of his media interviews during the tournament.
That feeling has extended to some journalists and pundits, including Richard Keys.
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The beIN Sports anchor has never been shy in voicing his opinions on individual players, and he's made it clear that he doesn't think Bellingham is all he's cracked up to be.
On Friday morning he took aim at the Real Madrid star by claiming he regularly breaks a rule he should have been obeying while playing in Spain.
Keys was praising Atletico Madrid's pursuit of Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, arguing that it will be one of the best deals of the summer if it happens.
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"If they go through - 2 of the best deals so far. [Scott] McTominay to Fulham & Gallagher to Atletico, although he’ll have to stop cutting holes in his socks," Keys wrote on X.
"The daft practice is banned in Spain for everyone - except Bellingham who arrogantly does what he likes. Of course he does."
Keys referenced the modern trend of players cutting holes in the backs of their socks to ease pressure on their calves and reduce the risk of cramping and muscle injuries.
Players wear brand new socks which are often tight and restrictive, so the practice encourages better blood flow and circulation.
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La Liga rules state that players cannot wear ripped shirts, shorts or socks, but officials tend to turn a blind eye to socks.
Plenty of players across Europe regularly cut their socks, including Gallagher, Bellingham and Kyle Walker.