Jude Bellingham has had a remarkable debut season at Real Madrid. Here’s how he did it, with insight from Fernando Morientes. Follow Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid on Sky Sports’ digital platforms on Saturday; kick-off 8pm.
Saturday’s Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund is especially significant for Jude Bellingham, as he faces his former team on home soil. However, the magnitude of the occasion is unlikely to faze him; it will probably make him perform even better. At just 20 years old, Bellingham has scored stoppage-time winners both home and away against Barcelona, a testament to his appetite for big games. This has been the defining feature of his stunning, 23-goal campaign.
Any doubts about his adaptation to Real Madrid, with all the pressures that come with the shirt, were dispelled quickly following his £115 million arrival. His first three appearances, all away from home, brought four goals. On his debut at the Bernabeu against Getafe in September, he scored a 95th-minute winner. “It’s crazy, I have run out of words,” said teammate David Alaba after just four games.
Bellingham continued to deliver consistently. He scored a 94th-minute winner in his Champions League debut for the club against Union Berlin, followed by goals against Girona, Napoli, Osasuna, and Braga.
In October, Bellingham reached an almost implausible high when he scored twice against Barcelona in El Clasico, including a 30-yard stunner and yet another stoppage-time winner to seal a comeback victory. Remarkably, he repeated this feat in April when the teams met again.
Vinicius Junior likened him to a legendary Real Madrid figure, saying, “Our fans got used to Cristiano Ronaldo, now they have Jude. Bellingham was born to play for Real Madrid.”
Bellingham’s brilliant debut season has been a result of his ability to handle pressure, his knack for scoring crucial goals, and his relentless drive to succeed on the biggest stages.
