Jude Bellingham has taken La Liga by storm in the opening weeks of the 2026-27 season, silencing any doubts about his condition after a long summer. Following standout displays against Espanyol and Real Sociedad, the England international produced another electrifying performance at the Santiago Bernabeu, leading Real Madrid to a resounding 4-0 victory over Malaga. For the supporters, the message is clear: the Bellingham of old is back, and he is playing with a joy and authority that had been missing for some time.
A World Cup to Remember
If the start of the season has been so dazzling, it is partly because Bellingham used the 2026 World Cup as his launching pad. During the tournament, he showed a completely different side to the one he had often presented in a Real Madrid shirt in recent campaigns. He finished as England's top scorer with seven goals, placing him third in the Golden Boot race behind Lionel Messi (8 goals) and Kylian Mbappe (10 goals). That level of output was a clear statement of intent, reminding everyone that Bellingham possesses elite attacking instincts as well as midfield tenacity.
Those seven goals in the summer were more than just a personal milestone; they reflected a player rediscovering his confidence in front of goal. At Valdebebas, a few observers feared that arriving late after a long World Cup campaign would affect his sharpness in the opening weeks of the domestic season. Yet Bellingham has proven the opposite. Instead of looking tired, he has returned with a fresh burst of energy, and his early-season performances suggest he is enjoying some of the best form of his career.
Superstar Statistics
The most striking aspect of Bellingham's resurgence has been his return to the kind of numbers that made him a phenomenon during his first year at Real Madrid. In the previous season, he managed only eight goals and five assists in all competitions. For a player of his caliber, especially after a debut campaign in which he delivered 23 goals and 12 assists, that represented a significant drop in productivity.
Now, however, he has hit the ground running. In the first three league matches of the new season, Bellingham has scored two goals and provided two assists. According to Spanish sports daily AS, no player in Real Madrid's history has ever begun a La Liga campaign with as many goal involvements in the opening three fixtures. That is a remarkable feat for a player who is nominally a midfielder, even if his advanced positioning often makes him a second striker in possession.
These early numbers carry extra weight given the high expectations placed on Real Madrid every season. With Kylian Mbappe in attack and Vinicius Junior roaming down the left, Bellingham's ability to arrive late in the box and combine play has given Jose Mourinho's side another dimension.
A Tactical Liberation
Why has Bellingham looked so much more dangerous? The answer lies largely in the tactical role he has been given under Mourinho. During the previous two seasons, with Kylian Mbappe's arrival and under coaches like Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa, Bellingham was frequently deployed as a central box-to-box midfielder. He was asked to drop deeper, win second balls, and cover space in front of the defense. While he executed those tasks with his usual professionalism, his offensive contributions suffered as a result.
Mourinho appears to have recognized that his number 5 is most effective when granted the freedom to roam between the lines and join the attack. Bellingham no longer looks tethered to a rigid role. He drifts wide to receive the ball, exchanges passes with the forwards, and makes late runs into the penalty area. This positional liberty was on full display against Malaga, where he seemed to pop up in every dangerous area of the pitch.
Bellingham himself acknowledged the change after the match. Speaking to Real Madrid TV, he said: "I take a lot of pleasure and I play well with the freedom that is given to me." That is a simple but revealing statement from a player who clearly flourishes when he feels trusted to make decisions on the pitch.
Defensive Commitment Remains
One of the recurring warnings about giving an attacking midfielder total freedom is that it can unbalance the team. However, Bellingham has not abandoned his defensive responsibilities. His ability to track back and help the full-backs has been vital for a Real Madrid side that has often looked split in two during transitions. Several times in the early matches, his recovery runs allowed the defense to breathe and regain shape.
This blend of offensive creativity and defensive discipline is what separates Bellingham from many of his peers. He tackles, intercepts, and presses opponents with the intensity of a traditional midfielder, while simultaneously contributing at the other end of the pitch. Mourinho has frequently emphasized the importance of tactical organization, and Bellingham's work rate affords the team the luxury of attacking with numbers while remaining solid at the back.
Leadership and Self-Demand
What has also stood out this season is Bellingham's reawakened leadership. In the past two seasons, he sometimes appeared to have retreated into the background, allowing more experienced teammates to take charge. That has not been the case in the new campaign. On the pitch, he is constantly talking, organizing, and encouraging. Against Malaga, he did not hesitate to raise his voice when the team lost concentration.
His standards are also remarkably high. When a pass missed its target or a dribble failed, Bellingham was visibly frustrated, even hitting the ground with his fist. This visible anger is not born of vanity but of a fierce desire to perform at the highest level. He refuses to accept mediocrity, a trait that has endeared him to the Real Madrid faithful and to his coach.
Mourinho is known for demanding total commitment from his players, and he has clearly warmed to Bellingham's attitude. "Jude Bellingham is a leader and he is very demanding of himself. He is an incredible player," the Portuguese coach said. Mourinho's comments underline the mutual respect between two individuals who share a similar perfectionist mentality.
A New Chapter in Madrid
Bellingham's revival is also the product of a larger context. When he arrived from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2023, he was seen as the heir to a long line of Real Madrid greats. His debut season exceeded all expectations, but the following campaigns brought ups and downs. The emergence of Mbappe as the team's main attacking reference forced Bellingham to adapt his game, and perhaps the adaptation came at the cost of his natural instincts.
Now, with Mourinho at the helm, Real Madrid seems to be entering a new phase. The English midfielder has the captain's armband in his sights, and his performances are making him indispensable. The pressing question is whether he can maintain this extraordinary level over the entire season. The demands of playing for a club like Real Madrid, combined with the physical toll of international football, will test his consistency.
Yet the early signs are overwhelmingly positive. Bellingham is running harder, pressing higher, and creating more chances than at any point in the past two years. His numbers in front of goal are comparable to his breakthrough season, and his all-around contribution has brought renewed balance to the team. For a player who was once criticized for fading in big moments, he is now delivering on the biggest stage with remarkable regularity.
Supporters at the Bernabeu have quickly placed their trust in him again. Every touch of the ball, every interception, and every shot on goal is greeted with encouragement. The bond between Bellingham and the fans is clearly strong, and that relationship could prove decisive as the season unfolds. He is no longer just a promising midfielder; he has become the new number one danger for Real Madrid, capable of deciding matches at any moment.
If his current form continues, there is a strong possibility that Bellingham will finish the campaign among La Liga's leading scorers and assist providers. The World Cup showed the world what he can do when allowed to attack freely. Mourinho's tactical adjustments have given him the platform to repeat that brilliance at club level. Real Madrid are not simply getting a midfielder back in form — they are witnessing the emergence of a truly generational talent who refuses to settle for anything less than greatness.
Source: Le Journal du Real News