Real Madrid dressing room's 'view' on Jude Bellingham as transfer snub explained

Jude Bellignham’s status as a star man at Real Madrid is having an impact on the club in more ways than one. The England international joined Los Blancos from in 2023 and instantly endeared himself to Real supporters.

During his debut season, Bellingham scored 23 goals and embraced his role as a leading player for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, despite the potential weight of wearing the number five shirt synonymous with Zinedine Zidane. The England international was named player of the season as Real clinched the league title and ended last campaign by winning the .

This year hasn’t gone quite as smoothly for Real, who look likely to finish the season without the league title, having also been knocked out of the Champions League by . Still, Bellingham has managed 27 goal contributions this term, and club president Florentino Perez has explained how the 21-year-old will continue to influence Real’s transfer policy.

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Former Real defender Oscar Ruggeri recently touted River Plate starlet Franco Mastantuono for a move to the Santiago Bernabeu. The 17-year-old midfielder has broken into River’s first team this season, and ESPN pundit Ruggeri sent a message to Perez about the teenage prospect while live on air, as reported by .

In an audio message he claimed to be sending to Perez, Ruggeri said: "Hello! President, here we are in a program with Sebastián Vignolo… we have a player here in Argentina: Mastantuono… who is one of the best at 17 years old. I want to see an Argentine at , cheers.”

The last Argentine player to play for Los Blancos was Angel Di Maria more than a decade ago. However, Ruggeri said that Perez had previously used Bellingham as an example in his explanation that the club's lack of Argentinian stars was not a deliberate snub.

Sharing an anecdote of a past conversation, as per , Ruggeri recalled telling Perez: “President, there have always been Argentines here. Redondo, Valdano, Di Stéfano…” To which the Real president made clear the view on Bellingham from within the camp, as it is claimed he replied: “Oscar, it has to be someone different from anything else. Did you see this Englishman? Bellingham is the star and everyone loves him… something dazzling has to come along.”

While Perez may focus on players with star quality, Ruggeri suggested that the aforementioned River prospect was already on the club’s radar. "Do you think they haven't noticed him," former Real defender Ruggeri remarked while smiling, prior to contacting Perez.

Meanwhile, it has been claimed that the fanfare surrounding Bellingham and his team-mate Kylian Mbappe has had a negative impact on other members of the squad. reported that Real forward Rodrygo felt sidelined and planned to leave the club in the summer.

The winger has not featured in the club's last three league games due to fitness reasons. However, Rodrygo has since dismissed speculation that he wants to move elsewhere. Posting on , Rodrygo said: "Thank you for all your messages and concerns. I’ll be back soon. Stop making things up."

The 24-year-old has seen his minutes reduced this season, and the has reported that Rodrygo has attracted interest from Arsenal, , and ahead of the transfer window.

Rodrygo joined Real from Santos as a teenager in 2019. He has made 267 appearances for the club, winning three La Liga titles and twice lifting the Champions League trophy. The forward will have a new manager to impress next season, with Xabi Alonso set to replace new Brazil boss Ancelotti.

It remains to be seen whether Perez will take Ruggeri’s advice and sign River Plate star Mastantuono this summer. The teenager's contract includes a reported release clause of around £33million, which could rise to £37m in the last few days of the transfer window.

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