Jude Bellingham: I maintain a 'macho' image to avoid vulnerabilities

Jude Bellingham has admitted that he maintains a 'macho' image of himself to deflect from any personal vulnerabilities.

The England superstar – left out of this international camp as he continues to come back from a shoulder injury – believes there remains shame around mental health.

Bellingham opened up on mental health as a Laureus ambassador, revealing that he would often search his own name on Twitter to seek out criticism and validation as a younger player.

'With the development of social media and technology, there's more ways to attack someone, to make them feel down,' Bellingham said.

'And I think there's still a stigma around talking about mental health. I know there's been times where I've felt vulnerable, doubted myself and needed someone to talk to - and, instead, I've tried to keep up this macho athlete image of, "I don't need anyone".

'The truth is that I do, everyone does. And you'll feel a lot better from talking about your feelings and emotions.'

Phil Foden has been vocal about the off-field problems that derailed his season last year, a stance that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola applauded the midfielder for.

Bellingham has previously claimed that he had been made to feel like a scapegoat following the run to the 2024 European Championship final. And, in an interview on World Mental Health Day, he suggested that he now does not read his own social media.

The Real Madrid midfielder's attitude has been criticised over the past 12 months but England veteran Jordan Henderson recently sprung to the 22-year-old's defence, labelling him a 'world-class person'.

'As athletes, it seems like we have the world at our feet or hands - we can do whatever we want, earn so much money and never be affected by it,' Bellingham said.

'But the reality is, if we can show vulnerability, then it opens up a bigger conversation for people who are struggling in the darkness. It's the duty of people like me - and the positions we're in - to be role models.

'I still think athletes are seen as people who should shut up and take it, which is an old-fashioned outlook.

'That hate can be really tough for athletes - and I can really empathise with those who struggle with their mental health. Everyone is allowed their opinion on sport, but there should be limits to the horrible things you can say.

'I've never been in a deep hole mentally, but I've been around people who have, and it's sad to see.'

Bellingham added: 'As a young player at Birmingham City, I used to put my name into Twitter and read everything. But even if the comments were positive, I quickly decided: Why should I let the opinion of people who don't know me validate how I think about myself?

'There's also the negative element that I've now decided to avoid – and I know a lot of other athletes who also have. There's enough negativity and pressure in professional sport that you don't need to seek it out.'