Jude Bellingham has been in outstanding form at the start of the season. The Spanish media already see the English midfielder as the real driving force behind Real Madrid.
After only three La Liga matches, Jude Bellingham is already making a huge impression. His performances since the beginning of the campaign, combined with his attitude and leadership on the pitch, have earned widespread praise, especially following Real Madrid’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Málaga on Sunday.
For Javier Herráez, the English midfielder is quite simply “the best Real Madrid player” at the moment. The Cadena SER journalist highlighted Bellingham’s frustration toward the end of the match, particularly during a final 20-minute spell that the midfielder himself admitted was below the standards expected from José Mourinho’s side.
Despite the comfortable scoreline, Bellingham was clearly not satisfied. He wanted his teammates to maintain the same intensity and discipline until the final whistle.
Bellingham Emerging as the Leader
According to Herráez, Bellingham was particularly annoyed with some of his attacking teammates, who were no longer contributing enough defensively.
“Bellingham got angry with Mbappé, Vinicius and Diomandé because they were not tracking back,” Herráez explained during El Larguero.
That reaction illustrates the mentality Bellingham has developed at Real Madrid. Even when the team is comfortably ahead, the 22-year-old continues to demand maximum commitment from everyone around him.
Tomás Roncero, meanwhile, believes the England international is rediscovering the spectacular level he showed during his first months in the Spanish capital.
“He has started the season exceptionally well. It reminds me of the player who lit up the Bernabéu when he arrived two seasons ago. What a level from Bellingham!” Roncero said.
The Spanish journalist went even further, describing Bellingham as the true leader of Mourinho’s Real Madrid.
“Mbappé will win the Pichichi and the Golden Shoe this season, but the leader of Mourinho’s Real Madrid is Bellingham, because of everything he generates around the team.”
Bellingham’s maturity is another aspect that has impressed Roncero.
🚨 STAT: Jude Bellingham has 2 goals and 2 assists in his first THREE La Liga games this season.
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) August 31, 2026
No Real Madrid player has ever started a La Liga season with more goal involvements. @diarioas pic.twitter.com/1egrxO057D
“Bellingham is 22 years old, but he looks like he is 30. His maturity, his power…”
Those qualities have made the midfielder one of the most influential figures inside the Real Madrid squad. His impact goes far beyond goals and assists. Bellingham constantly communicates with his teammates, demands intensity and sets the tone through his work rate and competitive character.
Real Madrid’s start to the season has been highly encouraging, and Bellingham has continued the momentum from his excellent World Cup campaign.
Under Mourinho, the Englishman appears to have been given even greater responsibility, both technically and mentally. While stars such as Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior remain decisive in attack, Bellingham is increasingly being viewed as the player who represents the personality of the team.
For both Herráez and Roncero, there is currently little debate: since the start of the season, Jude Bellingham has been Real Madrid’s standout performer.
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