The England international has scored three goals in his first two La Liga appearances, wasting no time in making his mark on Los Blancos
The image is becoming familiar for Real Madrid fans. Their new signing, a 20-year-old Englishman standing before them, arms spread in celebration, smirking slightly after watching the ball hit the net. It is a move equal parts humble and cocky, a pose that looks like greatness, in a position marked by humility.
Jude Bellingham has done that very thing in La Liga on three separate occasions — once for every time he has found the net in Madrid white. It has become his signature celebration, his recognisable move. Bellingham, the €103 million (£88m/$110m) signing, now has a brand.
And it’s something that Madrid have badly needed since Karim Benzema signed for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad in June. He, too, had a signature reaction, flailing limbs and shouts of delight — a player who celebrated all of his 354 Madrid goals like they were his first.
There are, theoretically, contenders in this side to replace — or at least, offset — the goalscoring void left by Benzema’s departure. Bellingham, and his eight Bundesliga goals for Borussia Dortmund last season, didn’t appear to be one of them.
Now, though, he has three in his first two. Throw in an assist — provided for Vinicius Jr to round off Madrid’s 3-1 handling of Almeria — and Madrid have an all-round attacking threat from what is essentially a new position in this side.
Bellingham is not Benzema, nor is he Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo or Raul. But so far, he’s looked like a nine-figure bargain, a player who can provide in the final third and ensure that Madrid don’t miss their biggest departure in years.
