Numbers often fail to capture football stories, yet Jude Bellingham stands as a rare exception. The best way to illustrate his immense impact at the season’s start for Real Madrid is through the statistics sheet. He delivered twice in Montjuïc to fuel a comeback against Barcelona, bringing his tally to 13 goals this season (10 in La Liga and three in the Champions League) after his first 13 appearances with the Whites. Last season, he scored 14 goals in 42 appearances for Borussia Dortmund.
Real Madrid have claimed 12 wins from 14 matches this season. Who played a role? He has found the net in at least one goal in 10 of those matches. In the draw with Sevilla and the loss to Atlético, Bellingham did not score. The only match this season in which he did not celebrate a goal was Real Madrid’s victory over Real Sociedad at the Bernabéu.
Bellingham participates in 55% of the goals
Beyond his goals, the English talent has recorded three assists so far this season, meaning he directly contributed to 16 of the 29 goals his team has scored. That amounts to 55% of Real Madrid’s total for the campaign. In Spain, the data this season aligns with the standout performances previously seen from players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in past years. It explains why he has earned 10 man-of-the-match awards across the 13 games he has played, eight in La Liga and two in the Champions League.
Despite the praise, he is described as not a pure striker, yet a highly influential player. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has urged more goals from players he views as forwards in order to curb the ongoing Jude influence on Real Madrid. “I don’t think he doubted the goals he has scored.” Teammate Luka Modrić even joked about the extraordinary talent of the new star, calling him “the best man” on a personal level.
When Bellingham escapes a massive Gavi and silences Montjuïc
Two goals against Barcelona marked a landmark moment in El Clásico history, as Real Madrid moved ahead in the rivalry counts. The opening strike proved to be a hard blow that grew as Barcelona’s defense showed signs of vulnerability. Interestingly, the celebration for this classic was more understated, with a restrained gesture instead of the usual arms raised.
Xavi: “I have great respect for Vinicius and I touch his face with love”
Raúl flavored goals
“I’ve thought for weeks that I should try from outside the box, since I have the technique to pull it off, and maybe opponents expect me to cut inside instead of shooting,” the legendary Real Madrid figure later explained about his first goal on Real Madrid TV, the only outlet with which he spoke on that Saturday. The second goal, celebrated as is tradition for him, came from a moment when he anticipated perfectly where the ball would land. Pure Raúl González Blanco.
“I spoke with my family before the game. We talked about the classics we watched from the couch. I told them it was my turn to do something big in a clásico.” The celebrated hero of that first clásico of the season admitted he had not been at his best in the early weeks in Madrid, though he knew that everything had been working well for him.
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“He has grace and conviction. He makes a difference,” said Xavi, and Ter Stegen noted that the Englishman had “changed” the game’s dynamics. “This guy is unreal,” Haaland commented on his Instagram story, sharing a moment of him celebrating a goal. The exchange highlighted Vinícius Jr.’s ongoing battle with racial abuse during the El Clásico.
Today, Bellingham is a Real Madrid staple, helping the club sit atop La Liga and secure wins in the early rounds of the Champions League. A part of a team that is channeling strong performances this season.