Real Madrid have not made a lot of signings in recent years, but they have been pretty good when it comes to identifying the right players. The decision to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund in the summer for a transfer package of around €134 million is starting to look like a masterstroke already.
Bellingham’s debut season at Real Madrid has been one to remember so far. He is already a fan favourite at the Santiago Bernabeu and has adjusted to life in the Spanish capital incredibly well in this short span of time.
The Englishman has scored ten goals and provided three assists in his first ten appearances for the club. Real Madrid currently sit atop La Liga and are leading Group C in the UEFA Champions League, with a large part of the credit belonging to Bellingham.
His nine-figure transfer fee is now being considered to be a bargain. Understandably so as well, as Bellingham is producing match-winning performances week in and week out.
Real Madrid player tipped to replace Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Guti seems to be viewing Bellingham as the potential heir to the throne of Messi and Ronaldo. As reported by GOAL, he told El Chiringuito:
"“It was the throne of Vinicius, Mbappe, Haaland… but Bellingham is the only one who has realised that the throne of Messi and Cristiano is free, and he is going for it.”"
Bellingham has grabbed the attention of everyone associated with football across the world this season, from fans to pundits to legends of the game to current players. His performances have been extraordinary and he is being viewed as a future Ballon d’Or winner.
With his recent displays, the Ballon d’Or doesn’t look like an impossible dream anymore for the 20-year-old. The important thing for Bellingham would be to make sure that he keeps performing at this level. The fact of the matter is that we are just eleven games into the season and it is still too early to reach any conclusions. Only time shall tell.