After being defeated four times by Barcelona last season, Real Madrid need a convincing victory at El Clasico. And again, Jude Bellingham is the one who brings that.
Bellingham's reputation as a key player for Madrid was formed from two decisive goals against Barcelona in the first season. In this confrontation, he made an excellent assist before scoring the decisive goal. Bellingham became the youngest player in Real Madrid's history to complete both of these milestones in the famous Super classic of the century.
Those two moments alone showed most of Bellingham's special qualities. The assist not only requires strength and skill to create space, but also shows vision and skillful technique, helping him make the perfect pass for Kylian Mbappe to finish.
Meanwhile, Bellingham's goal showed his ability to choose the right moment, which was done delicately thanks to his smart movement. This finishing instinct clearly reflects the Englishman's personality.
Even in a dramatic El Clasico with Mbappe missing a penalty, 2 goals that were not recognized and a late-match brawl - watching Bellingham play still brought moments of entertainment, surpassing all the other players on the pitch.
Bellingham not only controlled the game but also staged it. Not in the way Pedri - trying to control the tempo of the match with passes, but in a more direct sense. Bellingham signals and guides everyone around.
Bellingham's energy was so full that there was no way to rest. When the ball left the field, he stirred up the crowd, continuously pointing his eyes at different areas of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. He encouraged his teammates and argued fiercely with their opponents.
This feature caused Thomas Tuchel to criticize him in the summer, turning Bellingham's behavior into the focus of attention. "He's enthusiastic. I don't want to downplay that. But enthusiasm also comes with some qualities that can make you afraid" - Tuchel commented.
The England coach stressed the importance of conveying motivation - something Bellingham has done many times. Meanwhile, Pedri was sometimes physically overwhelmed and was judged awkwardly as immature and easily discouraged.
"It's easy to say". That was the caption Bellingham posted on social media after the win, a subtle mockery aimed at Barcelona's widely circulated comments from Lamine Yamal. Clearly, Real Madrid entered the match with high determination.
Throughout the match, Bellingham also played very effectively, quietly but influently. He pressed at the right time and helped control the game after the break, when Xabi Alonso tried to adjust a chaotic match. Bellingham is not only a player who makes a breakthrough but also takes on the role of holding midfielder excellently.
This will also be a strong statement from Bellingham. With the 2026 World Cup on the cards, he is at risk of being left out of England. There is currently much speculation that the "Three Lions" will replace Bellingham with a better option.
This further highlights why Tuchel's failure to call Bellingham in the squad is almost unimaginable. Perhaps we should remember his comments about Bellingham's threatening influence.
"He has something special. He brings an advantage that we welcome and need if he is to achieve great results" - Tuchel said.
In Madrid, where winning is not only a goal but also a habit and an obligation, this has been proven. England also need to realize that, because Bellingham is the player who can make the difference.
