Bellingham Lights up La Liga
A shining new star in the La Liga constellation, Jude Bellingham, made an unforgettable debut for Real Madrid on Saturday. The 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao had more than its fair share of surprises, but Bellingham’s sensational performance was the talk of the Estadio de San Mames.
Madrid’s New Beginnings
The excitement of a new season was in the air as Madrid showcased their €103 million summer signing. The 20-year-old midfielder didn’t disappoint, doubling Madrid’s lead in the 36th minute after Rodrygo’s opener. His joy was clear as he shared with Real Madrid TV:
“It’s really special, the most important thing is the win.”
With talismanic striker Karim Benzema’s exit to Saudi champions Al Ittihad and Thibaut Courtois sidelined due to injury, Madrid entered this season with uncertainty at both ends of the pitch. A convincing victory here surely lays some of those concerns to rest reveal The National.
The Dynamic Duo: Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo
Bellingham’s performance was complemented by the Brazilian duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, as they thrived in their strike partnership. Together with Bellingham’s No. 10 role, they demonstrated a newfound fluidity, setting the stage for an exciting campaign.
Ancelotti’s Last Campaign with Madrid
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, soon to take over the Brazil national team, made significant decisions in this match, including Fran Garcia’s second Madrid debut. However, it was the marquee signing Bellingham that truly made headlines. Ancelotti’s praise was unequivocal:
“(He was) very good, he’s got personality, being here motivates him a lot. He’s a fantastic player, a very important signing – he’s out of the ordinary.”
A Moment to Remember: Bellingham’s Goal
As Dani Carvajal hooked the ball back to Rodrygo, who found the back of the net, Bellingham’s moment came soon after. His unorthodox volley over Unai Simon from Alaba’s corner announced his arrival to La Liga, even drawing a rebuke from Athletic captain Iker Muniain. His reflections were humble yet confident:
“I’ve always been taught if you try and hit the target you can score. I didn’t make the best contact with it, I was a little bit lucky, but it worked.”
Challenges and Triumphs
The second half saw changes from both sides, but Bellingham continued to impress, bursting forward into dangerous territory. Donning Zinedine Zidane’s No. 5, he started as he means to go on.
Los Blancos also showcased another debutant, Joselu, loaned from relegated Espanyol, in the final stages as they saw out their opening weekend win with relative ease.
The Road Ahead for Madrid
With this victory, Madrid has given a glimpse of their ambitions and the potential key role Bellingham might play in this season. Challenges lie ahead, but the synergy of this new team is promising.
