Ruud Gullit shuts down ‘agitator’ label on Jude Bellingham, calls him an automatic pick

Ruud Gullit has rejected a claim that Jude Bellingham is an agitator who should be left out, calling it a ridiculous take. He argued Bellingham is the best player available and praised his will to win and relentless work for the team. The debate has bubbled up again around his on-pitch demeanor, but context matters: since joining Real Madrid, Bellingham has produced elite output and decisive moments, including the Champions League final assist last year. Fans are split online, yet the prevailing theme is simple - when the game turns chaotic, Bellingham brings control, goals and presence.

The discussion reignited after a recent media exchange questioned Jude Bellingham’s attitude and suggested a top coach would not select him. In response, Ruud Gullit publicly backed the Real Madrid midfielder, highlighting his intensity, work rate and match-winning impact. Bellingham, who joined Real Madrid in 2023, helped the club to a La Liga and Champions League double in his debut campaign and assisted the clinching goal in the UCL final. He remains a central figure for club and a leading option for his national team. The wider conversation centers on leadership style versus perceived arrogance.

‘Jude Bellingham is an agitator not a victim. There’s a reason Tuchel doesn’t pick him’ 🚨🗣️ Ruud Gullit: “That is a RIDICULOUS suggestion. He’s the BEST PLAYER they have. His attitude? He just wants to WIN. He works very hard for the team. A year ago, people were talking

@MadridXtra

Impact Analysis

Labeling Jude Bellingham an agitator misreads what elite competitors do in pressure zones. At Real Madrid he operates as a hybrid 8-10, arriving late in the box, pressing from the front and setting defensive triggers that let the wingers hold higher positions. That edge is part of why Madrid leaned on him in decisive minutes. He won major individual honors last season and was pivotal in the run that ended with a European title. For a dressing room, that kind of intensity can feel abrasive if results dip, but when you’re winning it becomes the standard.

From an England standpoint, this debate affects selection narratives more than actual lineups. Managers pick certainty in big moments and Bellingham gives you goals, ball-carrying through contact and a gravity that frees teammates. Benching him would force a structural rethink, removing the late-box threat that pairs well with a roaming forward and an inverted winger. As someone who’s shared rooms with strong personalities, I’ve seen leaders get mislabeled when they demand more. If you’re consistent in training, back it up on matchday and accept accountability, the group buys in. Bellingham ticks those boxes.

Reaction

Fan responses split into two lanes. One camp applauded Gullit for cutting through the noise, arguing that Bellingham’s drive is an asset, not a flaw. They point to his consistency at Madrid, his leadership at a young age and the fact that every top side needs a player who sets the tempo without apology. Several called him a certainty for international selection and praised his work rate even when he isn’t scoring.

The other camp questioned the hype, comparing him unfavorably to creative midfielders and asking whether his personality would rub certain coaches the wrong way. A few took the extreme line that a conservative manager would bench him, though they struggled to justify it beyond vibes. Some tried to rewrite last season, but the receipts are brutal - trophies, big-game contributions and awards. Even critics admitted his off-ball effort is real. The mood overall: spirited debate, with the majority siding with Gullit’s assessment that intensity is a winning trait, not a red flag.

Social reactions

2 years ago they were calling him the new Zidane 😭😭now even Guller is better than this fraud ..

Reece (@loverboy_reece)

Jude Bellingham hate is so forced. People often talk about his attitude, but what bad behavior has he shown that I have never seen ?

𝙺𝙾𝙱𝙸_𝚃𝙹𝙰𝚈𝚈🥲🪫 (@ObiaaBewu)

I wonder what would be said of

Martin (@CurranC61011797)

Prediction

Short term, expect no selection drama. For club and country, Bellingham will start if he’s fit. The tactical trend is stable: use him as a central connector who presses high, then let him arrive late into scoring zones while a forward drags the back line. That gives you the double threat of through-ball creation and penalty-box finishing without sacrificing counterpressing structure.

Medium term, the narrative swings back to performance. If he strings together another run of clutch moments, the attitude chatter fades. If he hits a quiet patch, critics will resurface the agitator tag. The best counter is transparency in interviews, visible leadership with younger teammates and continued discipline without cheap bookings. From experience, when a player of his profile stays available, trains hard and shows up in minute 80 to decide games, the rest becomes background noise. I see him adding more late winners this season and anchoring a fluid triangle with a roaming 9 and an inverted winger. The selection talk will feel dated by spring.

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Conclusion

I’ve played with stars who were called difficult until they carried us through a title run. Bellingham fits that mold - demanding and direct, but productive when the margins are thin. The claim that a top coach wouldn’t pick him ignores the cold reality of elite sport: availability, impact and trust decide lineups. He gives all three. Last season he delivered in La Liga and on Europe’s biggest stage, and he did it while taking responsibility in ugly stretches of games.

Gullit’s take aligns with what most dressing rooms value. Keep the edge, keep the running, keep the end product. The rest is noise. As long as Bellingham maintains his fitness and discipline, he remains a foundation piece for Real Madrid and a first-choice option for his national team. Arguments about his attitude are a rerun we’ve seen with other greats - intense competitors get mislabeled. The scoreboard usually settles it, and right now it sides with Jude.