Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Can Jude Bellingham make a statement in El Clásico with an English subplot

Bellingham has had a very difficult start to the season, as he underwent shoulder surgery in July due to a lingering injury he suffered in 2023.

He missed 63 days of training and play, including five matches with Los Blancos.

On his debut in late September, he was welcomed onto the field with a huge roar, as his return stunned the Madridistas.

Real Madrid supporter Carlos Campello said: “Bellingham has nothing to prove on Sunday.” “He already does that in every game he plays and every assist he gives. He doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone but himself.

Teammate Juan Antonio Lillo added: “It’s not a decisive game for him. He needs to continue improving his speed and feeling for the game. It’s just another step towards reaching the level he needs to be at and he will get there sooner or later.”

Since Bellingham’s return, he has appeared in a further six matches in all competitions, slowly increasing his minutes and trying to rediscover his best form.

However, for most of this period, his impact has been limited – until this week, where the winning goal in a Champions League match against Juventus reignited the Bernabéu’s confidence – and perhaps his own.

Bellingham told CBS after scoring his first goal of the season: “It feels great. It has been a long time since I scored a goal, and I spent a lot of time dreaming of that moment, returning to the Champions League and in front of a great team.”

“Scoring the winning goal here at home is unbelievable. I felt really comfortable and good. Playing well was important, and scoring the winning goal helps the team a lot.”

Bellingham excelled in his first season at the Bernabéu, scoring 19 goals in La Liga, but his form declined slightly in the 2024-25 season as Real Madrid finished the season without a major trophy.

“I didn’t think last year was a disaster,” he said. “[It was] Still 15 goals, 14 assists, but I know the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was part of that, because we didn’t play well last year.

“There are still good moments, but it’s not the level I want to play at, not the level I was at in the first year. I’ve now had shoulder surgery, a new coach, he has this shape, how we want to play.”