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Jude Bellingham’s role at Real Madrid has been ever-evolving. Originally playing as a false nine and occasionally as a traditional No. 10 or No. 9.5, he has adapted to different positions seamlessly. Early in the season, his scoring ability was undeniable, but as his goals began to wane, he adjusted his game by providing deeper assists, notably forming a very dangerous connection with Vinicius Jr.
This adaptability shows his exceptional skills with the ball and thinking of the game, proving his value as one of the top players at Real Madrid. His recent performance against Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey demonstrated his class, as he showcased his best form of the season by hitting another milestone.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Bellingham provided an assist to Endrick’s goal to score the 1st of Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinals. At the Santiago Bernabeu, he scored the equalizing goal just before halftime and later delivered a perfectly timed assist to Vinicius Jr., highlighting his talent for contributing both goals and assists.
The assist marked his fifth direct contribution to a Vinicius Jr. goal this season, the highest by any teammate. With 11 assists this season, he now has 26 goal contributions in all competitions. Bellingham is becoming one of the most prolific midfielders of his generation, following in the footsteps of legends like Toni Kroos.
WHAT JUDE BELLINGHAM SAID
After the game, Bellingham praised Vinicius Jr., calling him “the best player in the world.” He remarked on the chemistry they share on and off the pitch, emphasizing how much he enjoys assisting his teammates.
“It doesn’t matter to me [how many assits] as long as I can help the team,” Bellingham explained. “I think we had very good control of the game today from start to finish.”
He added, “I think it’s easy to assist the best player in the world, and that’s Vinicius. We have very good chemistry on and off the field. We like to play together and help the team, and today was proof of that.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
While Bellingham hasn’t matched his remarkable goal tally of 32 from last season, his playmaking excellence has allowed him to remain pivotal for Real Madrid. He has scored 12 goals so far, with 11 of those strikes coming in his last 15 matches.
Despite finishing as runner-up for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, he wasn’t shortlisted for this year’s award. Instead, teammate Vinicius Jr. got the attention for this season’t prize. Bellingham, in his more withdrawn role, has been instrumental in providing service to forwards like Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe, ensuring their effectiveness in attack.
“I think with the type of player I am, you want to get assists,” Bellingham explained. “If you play further up the field, you get more goals, but when you play a little deeper, the assists come. I really enjoy creating good situations for my teammates because of my intelligence and the way this team plays.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
Real Madrid will face Arsenal on the 1st leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. A strong performance on the 1st leg could improve their chances of advancing to the semi-finals, where they will play the winner of the draw between Aston Villa and PSG.
As with most teams this season, Real Madrid has been plagued with injuries, and the following players will miss the clash against the Gunners: Carvajal, Ceballos, Eder Militão, Lunin, Mendy and Tchouameni (due to yellow cards).
