‘complete’ Jude Bellingham Names Quality Underpinning Real Madrid Improvement

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is adamant that nan winning desire and “optimism” lacking past play has returned for nan European giants.

Bellingham scored nan only extremity successful a hard-fought Champions League victory complete Juventus connected Wednesday night, extending Real Madrid’s cleanable commencement successful nan title to 3 games. Xabi Alonso’s broadside besides lead La Liga, giving dream that they tin banish nan memories of past term’s disappointing campaign.

“One of nan differences betwixt past twelvemonth and [my] first [in 2023–24] was that we had [optimism],” Bellingham explained to CBS. “Even erstwhile we didn’t play very well, successful immoderate of nan later stages of nan Champions League, we managed to find a measurement to win.

“Last twelvemonth we didn’t do that. If we played badly, we were punished. It was bad. [Against Juventus], we allowed chances. The important point is that we kept a cleanable expanse and we only needed 1 [goal] to win. Of course, from now on, we want to play amended and people more. But we person to usage it arsenic a starting point.”

Jude Bellingham (center) delivered 3 points for Real Madrid. / Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images

One of nan accusations thrown astatine Madrid over nan past 12 months is nan deficiency of nan correct mindset to beryllium arsenic successful arsenic they had been before. Critics person put nan departure of elder players and leaders arsenic a facet successful that—since nan extremity of 2023–24, Toni Kroos, Luka Modrić, Lucas Vázquez, Nacho and Joselu person each left. It abruptly puts nan seniority connected overmuch younger players.

Bellingham is portion of that activity group contempt his tender years and took work for past season’s decline. “I was progressive successful that too, successful position of really we didn’t play arsenic good past year,” he pointed out.

“Still, location were bully moments, but not astatine nan level I want to play. I’m not astatine nan aforesaid level I was successful my first year. I had enarthrosis surgery. I person a caller coach. He has that attack to really we want to play. There will beryllium years erstwhile you play well, don’t triumph astatine all, don’t play well, and past don’t get that touch that possibly we had successful nan first year. You person to study from it.”

Xabi Alonso liked what he saw. / THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images

It wasn’t an outstanding wide capacity from nan 15-time European champions against Juventus, but Bellingham’s extremity came arsenic he builds his lucifer fittingness successful hunt of his champion shape aft summertime enarthrosis surgery.

“Jude played a really complete game, complete and supra nan goal,” Alonso gushed. "I really liked really he played against Getafe [on Sunday] and moreover much truthful today, positive his goal.

“He’s giving specified bully sensations pinch really competitory he is and really he creates vulnerable situations. I’m delighted for him. He’s sewage nan accomplishment and nan instincts to beryllium astatine nan business extremity of nan transportation but he’s a box-to-box player, too. He’s 1 of nan astir complete players successful nan world.”

After making his comeback pursuing nan September world break, but having started conscionable doubly successful La Liga since, this was Bellingham’s first extremity of 2025–26.

“It’s a awesome feeling, a agelong clip now since I’ve scored, a batch of clip retired and dreaming of that moment, backmost successful nan Champions League and against a large team,” nan midfielder said.

“To people a winner, present astatine home, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, really good. To play good was important, and to people nan winning extremity helps nan squad a lot.”

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