Jude Bellingham apologises to Real Madrid fans following UEFA Champions League exit

Jude Bellingham has publicly apologised to Real Madrid fans after Los Blancos were dumped out of the UEFA Champions League at the quarter-finals stage by Arsenal.

In a post published on his Instagram account, Bellingham said: “Simply didn’t live up to the expectations of this club in either of the games.

“Sorry Madridistas, we understand how much these nights and this competition means to you. There’s still opportunities to save this season but it’s only possible by staying together.

“Real Madrid will be back!”

After Arsenal raced into a 3-0 aggregate lead following a sensational first-leg performance at the Emirates in which Declan Rice scored an incredible brace of free-kicks, the footballing world was left wondering whether or not Real Madrid would be capable of mounting a famous comeback at the Santiago Bernabeu.

It wasn’t to be for Los Blancos, however, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side finding it tough to break through a resolute Arsenal rearguard expertly organised by Mikel Arteta in the second-leg.

Real Madrid’s loss to the Gunners in the last eight marks their earliest UEFA Champions League elimination since 2020, when they were beaten 4-2 on aggregate by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

Los Blancos’ UEFA Champions League exit has ramped up the pressure on Carlo Ancelotti’s side ahead of the end-of-season run-in in La Liga and the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.

Real are currently trailing Hansi Flick’s Barcelona by four points in La Liga with one more El Clasico to come, scheduled for 11th May at the Catalans’ temporary home of Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

Ancelotti has come under increasing pressure during a sub-par season for Real thus far, with reports suggesting the Copa del Rey final on 26th April could be the Italian’s final match in charge.

The ex-Milan boss is being linked with the vacant managerial position at the Brazilian national team, with the South Americans relieving Dorival Junior of his duties following a 4-1 defeat in World Cup qualifying to rivals Argentina last month.

You can see all the latest UEFA Champions League odds on our dedicated UEFA Champions League hub.

James Wilson

• Real Madrid CF
• UEFA Champions League
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