Jude Bellingham delivered a strong performance against Barcelona and was praised by Sami Khedira.
Jude Bellingham is definitely back! The Englishman left his mark on the Clásico against FC Barcelona in the first half and was celebrated by Sami Khedira for it.
First, Bellingham perfectly set up the lead for Kylian Mbappé (22nd minute). The former Dortmund player delivered a pass right into the seam. Mbappé appeared completely free in front of keeper Wojciech Szczęsny and slotted the ball into the far corner.
Jude Bellingham perfectly initiated the 1-0 against Barcelona
DAZN expert Khedira could hardly contain himself due to the assist and raved: “We see good positional play here. Camavinga opens up the center with his run. And wow, what a perfectly timed pass from Bellingham! Cold, colder, Kylian Mbappé. That’s also perfectly finished and a breakfast for him. But this ball is perfect from Bellingham. He’s returning to top form or is already back. These are difference-makers, world-class players.”
Bellingham? “One of the best midfielders in the world”
But that wasn’t enough: After the equalizer by Fermín López (38th minute), Bellingham was again in focus. The Englishman pushed the ball over the line from short distance (43rd minute) – and again Khedira was full of praise.
“Bellingham is the one who should say thank you. An outstanding game. Not called up for the English national team, but here with the great pass and the goal. He has a presence, he has an aura, a physicality, a physique, a technique. And when he realizes that there’s a functioning system between his two ears, then he’s one of the best midfielders in the world and indispensable for Real Madrid,” commented Khedira.
Bellingham makes history
With his performance, Bellingham even made history. At 22 years and 119 days, he is now the youngest Madrid player in the 21st century to both score a goal and provide an assist in a duel with arch-rival Barcelona. This surpassed Vinícius Júnior’s record in the Copa del Rey in April 2023 (22 years, 267 days).
For Bellingham, this continues a strong upward trend. After his long-term shoulder injury and not being called up for the English national team, Bellingham is back in top form.