Jude Bellingham Returns to Form at Real Madrid Following World Cup Success

Jude Bellingham is showing the same impressive level of play for Real Madrid that made him a contender for the 2024 Ballon d'Or. After a difficult 2025-26 season, he’s rediscovered his rhythm under manager Jose Mourinho.

Challenges of the 2025-26 Season

The previous campaign was tough for Bellingham. A shoulder injury required surgery, which meant missing pre-season under coach Xabi Alonso. When he returned, Alonso assigned him a defensive midfield role that limited his offensive impact. Results faltered, and Alonso was dismissed in January. His successor Alvaro Arbeloa couldn’t turn things around, leaving Madrid without trophies and Bellingham ending with only eight goals and five assists in 40 games — his lowest tally since joining Spain.

Critics even questioned whether Bellingham deserved a starting spot for England at the 2026 World Cup. Despite this noise, the Birmingham City academy graduate stayed focused, leading England to the semi-finals and earning recognition as arguably the tournament's fourth-best player behind Messi, Mbappe, and Rodri.

Strong Start Under Mourinho

Back at Madrid, Bellingham has hit the ground running despite having only a week to train with Mourinho before the new season began. Mourinho, returning for a second spell, immediately put him in the starting lineup against Espanyol. Within nine minutes, Bellingham scored with a header from an Arda Guler free kick. Though Madrid struggled afterward, they won 2-1, with Bellingham standing out by winning five ground duels and completing 95 percent of his passes. He also nearly scored a second goal, hitting the crossbar.

A Dominant Performance Against Real Sociedad

Madrid then faced Real Sociedad. Kylian Mbappe stole the spotlight with a hat-trick, but Bellingham was right behind him with two assists and tireless work in midfield. He won nine of 14 ground duels, recovered the ball four times, and covered nearly nine kilometers before being substituted in the 77th minute to applause. His relentless energy reminded fans of his World Cup performances.

Mourinho Praises Bellingham’s Freedom

Against Malaga, Mourinho called Bellingham "a unique player, super-important for the team." Bellingham opened the scoring with a composed finish after dribbling past three defenders. Shortly after, he forced an own goal by Malaga’s goalkeeper. Mbappe and Guler added to the score as Madrid secured their third win in La Liga. The crowd sang "Hey Jude" when Bellingham was substituted late in the game, celebrating his all-around excellence.

"I feel more free right now. I have more freedom to move, to go up and down the pitch, depending on what we need. I’m having a lot of fun and that’s why I’m performing well," Bellingham said after the match.

Mourinho’s Tactical Shift for Bellingham

Mourinho has adjusted Bellingham’s role to maximize his impact, inspired by Thomas Tuchel’s system. Unlike last season when Bellingham often played a defensive role, Mourinho wants him closer to goal. He explained, "I told him I do not want to see him defending like a second left-back anymore. I made a deal with him." This means Bellingham still contributes defensively but has the license to push forward aggressively.

The Portuguese coach trusts that the attacking trio of Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Bellingham will balance attack and defense effectively, allowing Bellingham to stay central and involved in most plays. Mourinho said, "Very good players want to play together. They want to play with people who have the same quality, the same speed of thought." Despite some skepticism before his arrival, Mourinho insists the trio works well.

Ballon d'Or Prospects

Mourinho claims Bellingham is not just a great player but a leader who belongs in the Ballon d’Or conversation. Yet, Bellingham’s chances this year seem slim due to Madrid’s trophy-less 2025-26 season. Players like Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi, Michael Olise, and Rodri appear ahead in the race, with Mbappe considered an outsider favorite thanks to his 42 goals last term.

Bellingham might be a contender in 2027 if he maintains his current form. Already, he has four goal involvements this season and aims to surpass his debut year at Madrid when he scored 23 goals and assisted 13 as the club won La Liga and the Champions League. That effort earned him third place in the 2024 Ballon d’Or voting behind Vinicius and winner Rodri.

Despite setbacks, Bellingham has emerged stronger and is part of a more powerful Madrid squad. Outperforming Mbappe and Vinicius over the coming months will be tough, but Bellingham’s potential seems limitless. Winning the Ballon d’Or could be the next milestone for this exceptional talent.

Summary of Key Stats and Performances

• 2025-26 season: 8 goals, 5 assists, 40 appearances
• World Cup 2026: Led England to semi-finals, 4th best player
• Season opener vs Espanyol: Scored in 9 minutes, 95% pass accuracy, 5 ground duels won
• Vs Real Sociedad: 2 assists, 9 of 14 ground duels won, 4 recoveries, 9 km run
• Vs Malaga: 1 goal, forced own goal, nearly scored another
• 2024 Ballon d’Or: 3rd place behind Vinicius and Rodri