Héctor Bellerín has swapped fast cars for a bicycle as part of his mission to live more sustainably, with the former Arsenal defender revealing he now cycles to training at Real Betis as he continues to reject football’s culture of excess.
Héctor Bellerín was never a footballer content to conform. While others leave training in their supercars, the former Arsenal full-back now cycles to work at Real Betis, still intent on living his values rather than just talking about them.
The 30-year-old Spaniard, who spent more than a decade in north London and is known as one of the game’s most socially engaged figures, has been named a global champion at the BBC Green Sport Awards for his commitment to sustainability.
Bellerín’s daily routine, from cycling (or using public transport) to training to shopping second-hand, reflects his determination to reject excess in a sport often defined by it.
“It would be easier to take a cab,” Bellerín said after receiving the award. “I know I’m privileged, but we need greener cities, with fewer cars.
“It’s about giving what you consume a good life and, when you’re done, giving it another life. We’re constantly bombarded by advertising that creates a false sense of need.”
That mindset, he says, was encouraged and shaped in part by Arsène Wenger, who taught him to see football and life as interconnected. “I learned a lot from him – not focused on sustainability itself because I feel like that word nowadays has very clear connotations, but more about a holistic way of living, and I think sustainability comes into that.”
At Betis, Bellerín has found a club aligned with his principles. Their Forever Green initiative promotes eco-friendly innovation, with shirts made from recycled materials and stadium seats produced from discarded fishing nets.
“Betis aren’t just a football club,” he said. “It’s a space where people can grow, get support, and feel part of something bigger.”
Bellerín has long stood apart from football’s materialism. A vegan and environmentalist, he once pledged to plant trees for every Arsenal victory and has used his platform to highlight climate change, racism, and inequality.
“With power comes responsibility,” he said. “Every time someone puts a microphone next to you, there’s a chance to talk about issues, to generate conversation.”
Whether championing LGBTQ+ inclusion, mental health awareness, or climate activism, Bellerín continues to challenge the sport’s conventions. “I’m someone who brings something different to the table,” he said. “We have debates, sometimes I get angry. But they respect me; they listen. Even when people think very differently from me, it helps me see the world in new ways.”
Cycling through Seville each morning, the man once known for his pace down Arsenal’s right flank now measures success differently.
Football, for him, is not just about trophies, but about integrity. As his former club renegotiate their Visit Rwanda deal, he is a reminder of the work Arsenal still have to do.