Feeling exposed and vulnerable is okay — and necessary, says Jude Bellingham on World Mental Health Day. The Real Madrid and England midfielder has candidly shared his personal struggles with vulnerability, shedding light on a topic many athletes avoid. But here’s where it gets controversial: Despite his success, Bellingham admits that even top sports stars face immense mental health pressures, and society’s expectations often ignore this reality.
In a heartfelt interview as a Laureus Ambassador, Bellingham recalled how, as a young player at Birmingham City, he would often look himself up on social media, confronting criticism head-on. Over time, he learned to dismiss the negativity from strangers online, revealing the darker side of modern technology. "Social media and technology have created new ways to attack individuals, making it easier to feel down," he explains. Yet, he stressed that there’s still a strong stigma tied to openly discussing mental health, especially in the sporting world.
"There have been moments when I’ve felt vulnerable, doubted myself, and needed someone to talk to," Bellingham admitted. "Instead, I tried to maintain this tough athlete image like, ‘I don’t need anyone.’ But the truth is, everyone does. Talking about your emotions can genuinely make you feel better."
Bellingham challenges the unrealistic pressures athletes endure, pointing out that many assume professional sportspeople lead carefree lives, earning vast sums with no difficulties. "It often seems like athletes have the world at their fingertips—they can achieve anything, earn lots of money, and remain untouched by problems. But that’s not reality,” he says. Embracing vulnerability not only helps the athletes themselves but also sparks important conversations for people quietly battling their own struggles. He sees it as a responsibility of those in his position to act as role models.
He goes further, criticizing the outdated view that athletes should just "shut up and take it." According to Bellingham, this mentality is both unfair and harmful. "Hateful comments can be extremely tough to handle, and I truly empathize with those who wrestle with mental health issues," he added. While everyone is entitled to express opinions on sports, there must be boundaries against cruel and hurtful language.
Bellingham openly admits he has never experienced severe mental health crises himself but acknowledges the sadness of witnessing others' struggles. He also acknowledged the internal pressure athletes impose on themselves: "I constantly work on maintaining my confidence, through positive self-talk and accepting that I won’t complete every pass, beat every opponent, or score in every match."
This self-acceptance is key to mental well-being. The more you accept your imperfections, the easier it becomes to cope with setbacks and criticism.
So, what do you think? Should athletes be expected to always be strong and composed, or is showing vulnerability a sign of true strength? Are sports fans and media too harsh in their judgments? Share your thoughts and join the conversation—because this is the part most people miss when it comes to sports and mental health.
