On Saturday, Real Madrid celebrated a momentous occasion, reopening their iconic Bernabeu stadium after a £500 million renovation project initiated in 2019.
Amidst the anticipation of enjoying their newly revitalized home, Real Madrid fans also gathered to pay homage to their emerging star, Jude Bellingham.
On Saturday, the grand reopening of the Bernabeu unfolded as a spectacular space-age arena, showcasing its retractable roof, which remained closed due to autumnal storms during Getafe’s visit—a culmination of club president Florentino Perez’s pledge to create the world’s greatest stadium.
Just three weeks into the season, the Englishman made an immediate impact by scoring on his debut against Athletic Bilbao. He added two more goals in a triumph against Almeria and secured three consecutive away wins with a late winner against Celta Vigo, endearing himself to Real supporters.
Bellingham’s swift adaptation, maturity, and impressive form have garnered praise from the fans and manager Carlo Ancelotti. Ancelotti remarked after the Bilbao victory, “He has a lot of personality and has adapted very quickly. It already seems like he’s been with us for a long time.”
Signs of his rapid integration extend beyond the pitch. Last week, Bellingham seized a few days off to enjoy a brief holiday in southern France with new team-mates Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Furthermore, Bellingham was named La Liga’s player of the month for August, setting the stage for his home debut at the grand reopening of the Bernabeu.
Jude Bellingham Heroics Seal Thrilling Victory for Real Madrid
On Saturday, unfancied Getafe threatened to disrupt the celebrations as Borja Mayoral capitalized on a poor pass from Real’s home debutant, left-back Fran Garcia. Mayoral rounded goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to open the scoring. Bellingham played a crucial role in Real’s efforts to mount a comeback, frequently venturing into the penalty area and momentarily winning a penalty, later overturned after a video assistant referee review.
Despite Getafe’s resilient defense, new Real striker Joselu equalized just after halftime by seizing on a loose ball. In the second half, Bellingham’s influence waned as he appeared fatigued. However, manager Ancelotti opted to keep him on the field, replacing all other starting midfielders as hopes of a home victory dwindled.
Ancelotti’s decision paid off in the 95th minute when Bellingham secured victory for the second consecutive game. He capitalized on a rebound after Getafe’s David Soria spilled Lucas Vazquez’s shot, calmly slotting home with a precise left-foot strike.
Bellingham’s iconic celebration, arms outstretched, head held high, and chest puffed out, has quickly become a symbol of the new La Liga season. It is poised to inspire countless imitators in Spanish playgrounds when schools reopen next week, akin to Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous ‘Siiiuuu.’
This celebration signifies more than just a pose; it reflects Bellingham’s ability to balance confidence and self-assuredness, aligning with Real’s culture of supreme self-belief. Despite the season being in its infancy, the Stourbridge native has already become an instant sensation in Madrid.
Reflecting on the game, Bellingham shared, “It’s the loudest moment I’ve heard in a stadium. Happily it was for my goal. When they were singing ‘Hey Jude’ at the end, I got goosebumps. I just wanted to stand still and listen to them. My legs were shaking. I know I was brought in for these kind of moments, they’re the kind of moments I know I can deliver for this team.
Embracing a Fresh Start: Bellingham’s New Role at Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham has etched his name in Real Madrid history as the third player to score in each of his first four games for the club, following the footsteps of Pepillo in 1960 and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009. With this record comes the expectation to maintain his prolific form as the season progresses.
Real Madrid’s inability to secure a replacement for Karim Benzema, notably Kylian Mbappe, has left manager Ancelotti with limited attacking options. Joselu and Brahim Diaz, along with Brazilian wingers Rodrygo and the currently injured Vinicius Junior, are the only forwards in the squad.
As a result, Ancelotti is relying on goals from other sources, and Bellingham’s role has evolved to capitalize on his goal-scoring instincts. The Englishman enjoys the freedom to roam from midfield, making well-timed runs into the penalty area, similar to his match-winning goal against Getafe.
Ancelotti recognizes Bellingham’s knack for finding goal-scoring opportunities and has positioned him further forward than in previous stages of his career. This adjustment is also influenced by the abundance of midfield talent at Ancelotti’s disposal, including Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Fede Valverde, Tchouameni, and Camavinga. Bellingham’s primary task is to support the forward line by joining attacks and finishing them, as evident from the fact that 49 of his 58 touches against Getafe occurred in the opposition half.
Expecting Jude Bellingham to replicate Cristiano Ronaldo’s scoring prowess may be a tall order, but there’s a strong likelihood that he will surpass his current career-high tally of 14 goals, achieved last season with Borussia Dortmund.
The early weeks of the season have revealed that Jude Bellingham, with his unique blend of talent, attitude, and goal-scoring ability, is emerging as arguably the most crucial player for Real Madrid. Additionally, he has quickly become a fan favorite among the Madrid faithful.
