Bellingham Responds With Viral Celebration As Real Madrid Rout Monaco

The Santiago Bernabéu was buzzing on January 20, 2026, as Real Madrid delivered a statement performance with a 6-1 thrashing of Monaco in the Champions League. But while the scoreline alone would have been enough to dominate headlines, it was Jude Bellingham’s now-viral goal celebration—and the storm of controversy swirling around it—that truly stole the spotlight.

Let’s set the scene: Real Madrid, under the fresh stewardship of Álvaro Arbeloa, were coming off a rocky stretch. The week prior, the team had suffered a shock Copa del Rey exit to second-tier Albacete and endured a tense 2-0 La Liga win over Levante that saw both Bellingham and Vinicius Junior whistled and jeered by their own supporters. The pressure was mounting, and rumors were flying—especially about Bellingham’s off-field habits, with Spanish media suggesting he was more interested in nightlife than training.

Yet, as the Champions League lights flickered on, Los Blancos found their rhythm. The match against Monaco was a masterclass from start to finish. Kylian Mbappé, facing his former club, bagged a brace, Franco Mastantuono got on the scoresheet, and Vinicius Junior dazzled with a goal and two assists, even forcing an own goal from Monaco’s Thilo Kehrer. By the 80th minute, Madrid were already cruising, but the best—or perhaps the most talked-about—moment was still to come.

It was then that Dani Ceballos, eager to atone for an earlier mistake, dispossessed Monaco and set up a rapid counter. Fede Valverde delivered a pinpoint pass to Bellingham, who danced past Monaco keeper Philipp Kohn and slotted home Madrid’s sixth. The Englishman immediately turned to the crowd, miming a drinking gesture—a cheeky, unmistakable nod to the rumors about his supposed partying.

Predictably, the gesture ignited a firestorm. Social media exploded, pundits weighed in, and fans worldwide debated whether Bellingham’s celebration was out of line or a brilliant retort to the gossip mill. After the match, Bellingham addressed the controversy head-on. Speaking to TNT Sports, he explained, “A lot of people say a lot of things. You can cry or enjoy it. I joked back with the fans because I know the truth.” He added, “There are two ways to react to it—you can cry about it and moan, or you can enjoy it. I gave a joke back to the fans. I know the truth and it’s nice to have a bit of a joke.”

Bellingham’s candor didn’t stop there. He acknowledged the difficult atmosphere in recent matches, especially with supporters voicing their displeasure after Xabi Alonso’s departure as head coach. “The fans pay their money, work all week, save up to come to Real Madrid games to support us. So they are entitled to say what they want. I don’t think it’s always very helpful for the team or individuals, speaking from experience now, I know. It’s not the nicest thing in the world, but they are entitled to their opinion.”

He also took the opportunity to dispel media reports alleging he was among a group of players who opposed Alonso during his seven-month stint. “Do not believe everything you read,” Bellingham asserted, directly addressing the rumors via his personal app and in post-match interviews. His stance was clear: while the noise outside the locker room can be deafening, he remains focused on his game and his teammates.

And what a game it was. With the win, Real Madrid climbed to 15 points from seven Champions League games, solidifying their position near the top of the league-phase standings and putting themselves in a strong spot to secure a top seed for the knockout rounds. The victory also marked a unique milestone: Madrid became just the second team to score five or more goals in a Champions League match under two different coaches in the same campaign, joining Bayern Munich’s 2019-20 squad in that rarefied air.

Coach Álvaro Arbeloa was quick to praise his squad’s effort, singling out Bellingham for his relentless work rate. “Today I saw the Bernabéu supporting Vinícius, Kylian, Jude, all of them,” Arbeloa remarked. “They made a huge effort. Bellingham’s running wasn’t normal. That effort makes me very happy. That’s what we need, a committed team. It was a great night for everyone.”

Vinicius Junior, another focal point of recent fan frustration, delivered a performance that reminded everyone of his immense talent. Registering a goal, two assists, and creating a game-high seven chances, the Brazilian was everywhere. Bellingham was effusive in his praise: “He was really sharp, looked dangerous every time he had the ball, created loads. But for me, it’s never any doubt when he has performances like that. I think he’s a player who thrives when he gets love. You can see today when the atmosphere changed towards him. He becomes so much more joyful to watch and play with.”

Bellingham’s comments highlighted a broader theme: the relationship between fans and players. While acknowledging that supporters have every right to voice their opinions, he emphasized the positive impact of encouragement, especially for players like Vinicius who feed off the crowd’s energy. “I think that’s the pressure that the kind of whistles put on a player. But now it seems like he’s free from those shackles a little bit and hopefully he can continue,” Bellingham observed.

For Madridistas, the night was a cathartic release after weeks of tension and speculation. The team’s performance on the pitch silenced critics—at least for now—and restored a sense of optimism heading into the crucial stages of the season. The Bernabéu faithful, who had been quick to express their discontent, ended the night cheering the names of Vinicius, Mbappé, and Bellingham, a testament to the transformative power of a convincing win.

As the dust settles, one thing’s for sure: Jude Bellingham’s celebration may have lit the fuse, but it was Real Madrid’s collective response—on and off the pitch—that truly set the night alight. With the Champions League knockout rounds on the horizon and the squad seemingly united behind Arbeloa, the mood in Madrid is shifting from skepticism to anticipation. If the team can maintain this level of intensity, there’s every reason to believe more memorable nights are yet to come at the Bernabéu.