Jude Bellingham Shines Again at Real Madrid After World Cup Brilliance
Jude Bellingham is showing the same impressive form at Real Madrid that made him a leading Ballon d'Or contender in 2024. The English midfielder is thriving once more at the Bernabeu under the guidance of José Mourinho.
The 2025-26 season was tough for Bellingham. He missed pre-season due to shoulder surgery and, upon his late September return, was assigned a defensive midfield role by then-coach Xabi Alonso, which limited his influence on the pitch. Alonso’s dismissal in January didn’t improve matters as Real Madrid's struggles continued under Alvaro Arbeloa. Bellingham ended the campaign with just eight goals and five assists across 40 games, his lowest output in Spain so far. Some doubted whether he deserved a starting spot for England at the 2026 World Cup.
Despite criticism, Bellingham stayed focused and played a key role in England's run to the World Cup semi-finals. Many ranked him as the tournament’s fourth-best player, behind Lionel Messi, teammate Kylian Mbappé, and Golden Ball winner Rodri.
Now back at Real Madrid with Mourinho at the helm, Bellingham looks revitalized. At 23, he appears sharper than ever, and Real seem ready to compete for major trophies again.
Strong Start Under Mourinho
Bellingham had only a week to train with Mourinho after his World Cup break but was immediately placed in the starting lineup for the season opener against Espanyol. He scored within nine minutes, heading home a free-kick from Arda Güler. Although Madrid struggled for flow and won 2-1 thanks to a late goal, Bellingham stood out during his 80 minutes on the field.
- Ground duels won: 5
- Pass completion rate: 95%
- Near second goal: Hit crossbar from a corner
Mourinho seemed pleased with Bellingham’s performance, given the short preparation time.
Dominant Display Against Real Sociedad
Four days later, Madrid defeated Real Sociedad 4-1, highlighted by Mbappé’s hat-trick. Bellingham was nearly as influential, assisting twice—one setup for Mbappé’s second goal and another for Vinicius Junior. His defensive work was crucial, winning nine of 14 ground duels, recovering possession four times, and covering nearly nine kilometers before being substituted to applause in the 77th minute.
Bellingham’s relentless energy matches the stamina he showed throughout the World Cup, confirming he is enjoying football again.
Freedom on the Pitch
Before a match against Malaga, Mourinho called Bellingham a unique and vital player. Madrid began strongly, and in the 19th minute, Bellingham picked up the ball 30 yards from goal. He breezed past three defenders before calmly finishing through the goalkeeper’s legs for the opener.
Shortly after, he forced an own goal by pressuring the keeper following an Mbappé shot. The game ended 4-0 with Mbappé and Arda Güler scoring additional goals. Bellingham also hit the post later and was serenaded with "Hey Jude" by fans when substituted near the end.
"I feel more free right now. I have more freedom to move, to go up and down the pitch, depending on what we need," Bellingham said after the win. "I’m having a lot of fun and that’s why I’m performing well."
Mourinho's Tactical Shift Pays Off
Mourinho has unlocked Bellingham’s potential by giving him a role closer to goal, inspired by the player's World Cup performances as a No.10. The Portuguese coach switched from Alonso’s defensive midfield deployment to a 4-2-3-1 system similar to Thomas Tuchel’s setup.
"Bellingham sometimes defended like a second left-back last season," Mourinho explained. "I told him I do not want to see that anymore. I made a deal with him."
This change allows Bellingham to remain central, combining his relentless ball-winning with license to attack the box. Mourinho values Bellingham sharing attacking responsibilities with Mbappé and Vinicius, stating:
"Very good players want to play together. They want to play with people who have the same quality, the same speed of thought. Before I arrived, people said a lot Mou doesn’t want this or that, the three are incompatible. I’ve always said I want the best players. All I see is that they’re all really good."
Ballon d'Or Prospects
Mourinho insists Bellingham is a top player and a leader in the Ballon d’Or race. Yet, this year’s trophy contenders look different due to Real Madrid’s trophyless 2025-26 season. Bellingham’s World Cup success alone won’t outweigh that; Mbappé, with 42 goals last season, remains a stronger candidate, though even he is considered an outsider.
If Bellingham maintains his current form, 2027 could be different. He already has four goal involvements this season and aims to surpass his first year at Real when he scored 23 goals and assisted 13 as Madrid won La Liga and the Champions League.
- 2024 Ballon d’Or: 3rd place (behind Vinicius and Rodri)
Though luck hasn't always been on his side, Bellingham has emerged stronger, now part of a more dangerous Madrid squad. Outperforming Mbappé and Vinicius over the coming months will be challenging, but Bellingham seems ready for whatever lies ahead. Winning the Ballon d’Or feels like the natural next step for this generational talent.
