Real Madrid is a club defined by some of the greatest players to have ever played soccer. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Ronaldo, Raul Gonzalez, Ferenc Puskas and Alfredo di Stefano have made themselves icons in all-white and Jude Bellingham appears to be next in line for Los Blancos.
Bellingham has made a sensational start at Real Madrid this season, scoring 12 goals in 13 games since joining from Borussia Dortmund in the summer transfer window. Not only this, many of these goals have been match-winners – like the two goals Bellingham scored against Barcelona in his first Clasico appearance.
Carlo Ancelotti needed someone like Bellingham after the surprise departure of Karim Benzema at the end of last season. Benzema had been Real Madrid’s attacking focal point for a number of seasons, but decided to make the move to Saudi Arabia where he became one of the highest-paid players in world soccer for Al Ittihad.
A number of centre forwards were linked with a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid’s interest in Kylian Mbappe is well-established and so many suggested they could spend big to lure the Frenchman from Paris Saint-Germain. Victor Osimhen was another name believed to be on Real Madrid’s shortlist. Harry Kane was linked too.
In the end, though, Real Madrid refrained from entering the expensive centre forward market and have remoulded their team to get the best out of Bellingham as an attacking difference-maker. Ancelotti has used the Englishman in a role in behind a front two with an adaptable midfield trio behind him to provide security.
Not since Ronaldo left the Spanish capital for Juventus in 2018 have Real Madrid had such a figurehead. It’s not just that Bellingham is winning games on his own – he is a natural leader and has a gravity when he plays on the pitch. Real Madrid now revolve around the 20-year-old in everything he does.
Real Madrid have built a team that should sustain them for years to come. While the club once focused on signing the biggest stars in the game – see the Galacticos era that saw the likes of Zidane, Figo, Ronaldo, David Beckham and others arrive – they are now among the best at finding young talent and providing a platform for them to thrive.
Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo were both signed straight from Brazilian clubs at the age of 18. Endrick will be the next to join Real Madrid from the South American country – the 17-year-old will sign from Palmeiras next year. In the past, Los Blancos would have waited until these players had proved themselves in Europe before making their move, but they are becoming increasingly shrewd in the transfer market.
Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni are two more examples of how Real Madrid have succeeded in targeting young talent and integrating them quickly into the first team. Not since the ill-fated and misguided signing of Eden Hazard have Real Madrid moved for a player already established as one of the very best.
Of course, Bellingham was already established at the elite level. He was one of the best players in the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund last season and shone for England at the 2022 World Cup. Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United were all linked with Bellingham at one time or another, but ultimately it was Real Madrid that won the hotly contested race this summer.
And yet it’s only this season that the true potential of Bellingham as one of the best players in the world has been realised. Some players shrink when they reach the big time, but Bellingham has grown. He has reached a higher level with better quality teammates around him. The iconic all-white kit of his new club suits him.
Mbappe is still expected to join Real Madrid at some point in the future. The French international will be out of contract at PSG next summer, giving Real Madrid their best chance to sign Mbappe on a free transfer. It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that Erling Haaland could also one day pitch up in the Spanish capital.
With Bellingham in the team, though, Real Madrid have a purpose again. The Englishman is on his way to becoming an icon at the Santiago Bernabeu and in the end, it doesn’t matter who joins him there over the coming years. Bellingham has the potential to be one of the best of his generation and a Real Madrid legend.Â
