Barcelona-Real Madrid: Jude Bellingham confirms El Clasico fitness in Spanish on TV

Jude Bellingham warms up ahead of Real Madrid's Champions Leagyue clash away to Braga in October 2023.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has confirmed his fitness for this weekend's Clasico clash against Barcelona at Montjuic – and he did it in Spanish following an interview with a national TV station.

The England international, who has scored 11 goals in his opening 12 matches for Los Blancos, was replaced by Lucas Vazquez late on in the team's 2-1 win at Braga in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Bellingham did not train with his team-mates on Wednesday as he worked with physios in the gym to recover from an adductor strain.

But in an interview with TVE's telediario news show, he revealed he will be fit for his first competitive match against Barcelona.

"I'll be in El Clasico," he said in Spanish, to camera, while reading off a card.

The 20-year-old is probably in need of a rest, but is too important to sit out El Clasico. Madrid do have a free week after the trip to Barcelona, though.

But UK fans of LaLiga or those keen to watch Bellingham will not be able to see El Clasico live.

Due to the 3pm blackout rule, Madrid's game against Barcelona cannot be broadcast live on television this Saturday.

Viewers will be able to watch the match in a delayed broadcast on Viaplay from 17:25.

More Real Madrid stories

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Former Barcelona midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has admitted he is a Real Madrid fan, revealing that he lied about his favourite club in order to play for the Blaugrana.

And Aston Villa have been linked with €18 million move for one of Real Madrid's midfielders in the January transfer window.

Ben Hayward
Weekend editor

Ben Hayward is a European football writer and Tottenham Hotspur fan with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa America - and has spent much of that time in Spain. Ben speaks English and Spanish, currently dividing his time between Barcelona and London, covering all the big talking points of the weekend on FFT: he’s also written several list features and interviewed Guglielmo Vicario for the magazine.