Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham has openly criticized the conditions of the pitches at this year’s FIFA Club World Cup. The player claimed the pitches are “not great at all” despite the Spanish giants recording their first win of the tournament against Mexican side Pachuca.
Jude Bellingham who scored the opening goal in their 3-1 win to put Madrid 1-0 ahead. Turkish youngster Arda Guler and Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde added to the scoreline, which eventually finished 3-1.
With the 2026 World Cup due to be held in some of the same venues this time next year, Bellingham made his feelings clear to the organisers that conditions must improve. According to him, he said: “The pitches aren’t great at all. It holds the ball up. The ball barely bounces.”
“It’s tough on the knees as well. Hopefully, it’s something that someone will look at, going into next year. “It’s important we protect the players as well as giving the fans a great spectacle and giving them great games like today.”
The 21-year-old also spoke about tiredness which is an issue. on that he said: “I’m definitely feeling it [the fatigue]. With the new kits, new managers and new players coming, it probably kids you into thinking it’s a new season.”
Jude Bellingham also said: “But you’ve already got 50 to 60 games in your legs and in this heat, you can definitely feel it.” “But the way I and the team are approaching it is that it’s five more games of graft and everything we’ve got to try and bring home another title.”
