Real Madrid Triumph Over Monaco As Bellingham’s Celebration Responds To Critics

Jude Bellingham used Real Madrid’s 6-1 Champions League win over Monaco to answer recent criticism, scoring the sixth goal and mocking claims about off-field behaviour with a bottle-drinking celebration, as Alvaro Arbeloa’s side delivered a dominant display that eased pressure after a testing domestic week.

The victory, Madrid’s first Champions League match under Arbeloa, featured a brace from Kylian Mbappe against former club Monaco, further strikes from Vinicius Junior and Franco Mastantuono, plus an own goal by Thilo Kehrer, lifting Madrid to second place in the league-phase standings with top seeding now within reach.

Reports in Spain after the Copa del Rey defeat to Albacete alleged Bellingham partied often and trained poorly, and suggested

the midfielder had become a negative influence, but the England international responded on the pitch and then addressed those claims directly after full-time in an interview with TNT Sports.

Bellingham kept the celebration playful but pointed, miming a drink from a bottle after scoring, a reference to the accusations. Later, Bellingham said: "A lot of people like to say a lot of things; it feels like anyone can get in front of a camera now and everyone believes it with absolutely no evidence.

"There are two ways to react to ityou 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. "

Real Madrid’s latest big win also carried historical weight. Los Blancos became only the second team to score at least five goals in a single Champions League campaign under two different coaches, having previously beaten Kairat 5-0 earlier in the tournament when Xabi Alonso was in charge.

Bayern Munich achieved the same feat in 2019-20. That season included a 7-2 win over Tottenham under Niko Kovac, then 6-0 and 8-2 victories against Red Star Belgrade and Barcelona under Hansi Flick, with Real Madrid now matching that multi-coach high-scoring pattern in this Champions League campaign.

The atmosphere around Real Madrid changed sharply in three days. During Saturday’s 2-0 LaLiga win over Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid’s own supporters booed throughout, reflecting frustration after the Copa del Rey exit, whereas the Monaco game produced loud backing as early attacking pressure turned into a heavy scoreline.

Bellingham felt that shift clearly, saying: "I think to finally win with a lot of conviction, it felt different. We played well today, we played with the right intensity from the start. I’ve always said that fans work all week, they pay their money and save up to come to Real Madrid games and support us, so they can say what they want.

"I don’t think it’s always helpful for the team, speaking from experience, it’s not the nicest thing in the world, but they’re entitled to their opinion. This is how we have to react. "

@BellinghamJude pic.twitter.com/EvtGyyJOaCReal Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) January 20, 2026

Vinicius arrived at the Monaco clash under scrutiny as well, having received strong jeers from home fans against Levante, yet delivered a standout performance here, contributing one goal, two assists, seven chances created for team-mates, and the dangerous cross that led to Kehrer diverting into the defender’s own net.

Bellingham praised Vinicius’ response, saying: "He was really sharp, he looked dangerous every time he had the ball. I never doubted him. He is a player who thrives when he gets love. When the atmosphere changed towards him today, he became so much more joyful to watch and to play with. Hopefully, he can continue. "

Real Madrid now move from a week defined by criticism, a Copa del Rey exit and jeers at the Bernabeu to one shaped by a high-scoring Champions League win, improved league-phase prospects and strong displays from Bellingham, Vinicius, Mbappe and Mastantuono, offering Arbeloa a sturdier platform for the next fixtures.