David Beckham has assessed Jude Bellingham's spell at Real Madrid amid the English midfielder coming under criticism this season. The English midfielder followed in Beckham's footsteps when he arrived at the Estadio Bernabeu in the summer of 2023.
Bellingham made a remarkable start to life in the Spanish capital when he bagged 23 goals and 13 assists in 42 games in the 2023-24 campaign. He exceeded expectations and got his hands on the La Liga title and the Champions League trophy.
The 22-year-old's sensational form followed him into last season but he's come off the boil this term. Injury issues haven't helped but concerns over his attitude in England have started to take hold in Spain.
Beckham on 'exceptional' Bellingham
Bellingham turned down a move to the Premier League when he signed for Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in a €103 million deal. It felt as though some of the media from his homeland were irritated that one of England's best attacking talents was thriving in another country.
Beckham knows all about the difficulties that come with playing football outside of the English top-flight. He was made the scapegoat for his country's failure to win a major trophy during their Golden Generation.
The Madrid legend who made 159 appearances at the Bernabeu spoke glowingly of Bellingham. The former Manchester United midfielder told Rio Ferdinand on his YouTube channel in October 2024:
“I think that Jude Bellingham’s going there (to Real Madrid), he’s an exceptional talent, a star, but he’s also a worker. And I think that’s why its been so successful for Jude.”
Bellingham has appeared 28 times across competitions this season, posting six goals and four assists. He is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury and reports suggest he could miss two months of action rather than one as initially anticipated.
Jude Bellingham is misunderstood
There's no doubt that Bellingham believes in his ability and his confidence is often misinterpreted as arrogance. For English fans watching one of their countryman playing a starring role in a Madrid side in the manner he does isn't normal.
Bellingham is constantly having to prove his critics wrong and he often does his talking on the pitch. He is an enormous talent who should have the backing of his country because he could be the difference for them at this summer's World Cup.
Whenever the Birmingham-born midfielder is flourishing it seems as though a section of English media and fans try to tear him down. His resume speaks for itself including a glistening trophy cabinet and a superb statistical record.