Jude Bellingham Shines Again at Real Madrid After World Cup Breakthrough

After a challenging 2025-26 season, Jude Bellingham is back to showing the brilliance that marked him as a Ballon d'Or contender in 2024. The English midfielder has resumed his impressive performances for Real Madrid, picking up exactly where he left off during the World Cup.

A Tough Season Behind Him

Bellingham’s previous campaign was frustrating. A shoulder surgery denied him preseason training under then-coach Xabi Alonso. When he returned late September, he was deployed in a defensive midfield role that limited his influence on the pitch. Alonso's dismissal in January only added instability, and his successor Alvaro Arbeloa couldn't turn things around. The result? Bellingham finished with just eight goals and five assists from 40 appearances—his worst output in Spain so far. Some doubted his place in England’s starting lineup for the 2026 World Cup.

World Cup Resurgence

Yet external doubts never fazed Bellingham. He bounced back strongly, leading England to the semi-finals and ranking just behind Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Golden Ball winner Rodri as one of the tournament’s best players. Now at Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho, Bellingham is thriving again. The 23-year-old looks sharper and more influential, as Los Blancos prepare to chase major trophies once more.

Strong Start Under Mourinho

Mourinho took charge recently and quickly integrated Bellingham into the starting XI despite only a week of preseason training. In the season opener against Espanyol, Bellingham scored a header just nine minutes in. Although Madrid scraped a 2-1 win, he stood out with a 95 percent pass accuracy, five ground duels won, and a close second goal attempt hitting the crossbar.

Dominant Against Real Sociedad

Four days later, against Real Sociedad, Kylian Mbappe stole the show with a hat-trick, but Bellingham’s impact was nearly as significant. He assisted Mbappe’s second goal through a slick one-two, then recovered the ball and set up Vinicius Junior’s tap-in. Bellingham’s relentless energy, winning nine of 14 duels and covering nearly nine kilometers, earned him a standing ovation when substituted in the 77th minute.

Freedom on the Pitch

Before a match versus Malaga, Mourinho described Bellingham as "a unique player, super-important for the team." Bellingham responded with a stunning individual goal, weaving past defenders before slotting the ball under the goalkeeper. He then forced an own goal after an aerial challenge on the keeper. Madrid secured a 4-0 victory, with Bellingham also hitting the post. Fans celebrated him with chants of "Hey Jude" as he left the field.

"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.

Mourinho’s Tactical Adjustment

Mourinho has shifted Bellingham’s role to maximize his strengths. The Portuguese coach prefers a 4-2-3-1 formation, similar to Thomas Tuchel’s system, where Bellingham operates closer to goal rather than deep defensive duties. Mourinho told Bellingham he no longer wants to see him defending like a second left-back. This change lets Bellingham focus on attacking while still contributing defensively when necessary.

Now, Bellingham combines relentless ball-winning with aggressive runs into the box. Mourinho highlighted the chemistry among Bellingham, Mbappe, and Vinicius, emphasizing their shared quality and speed of thought, dismissing rumors about incompatibility.

"Very good players want to play together. Before I arrived, people said a lot about incompatibility, but all I see is that they’re all really good," Mourinho explained.

Ballon d’Or Prospects

Bellingham came close to winning the Ballon d’Or in 2024, finishing third behind Rodri and Vinicius. Despite Mourinho’s belief in his leadership and talent, this year’s award will likely elude him due to Madrid’s trophyless 2025-26 season and stiff competition from players like Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi, Michael Olise, and Rodri. Even Mbappe is seen as an outsider, despite scoring 42 goals last season.

The future looks promising, though. Bellingham has already contributed to four goals in the current season and aims to surpass his debut year stats at Madrid, when he scored 23 goals and had 13 assists while helping secure La Liga and Champions League titles.

If he continues this trajectory, Bellingham might finally claim the Ballon d’Or in 2027. For now, he remains a central figure in a stronger Madrid squad, capable of rivaling the performances of Mbappe and Vinicius.