Jude Bellingham’s early-season influence is again becoming impossible to ignore after the England midfielder scored and played a decisive role in Real Madrid’s 4-0 win over Malaga, helping José Mourinho’s side maintain their perfect start to the LaLiga campaign.
Bellingham opened the scoring in the 19th minute at the Santiago Bernabéu with an individual run and finish before his involvement contributed to Malaga goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero putting through his own net seven minutes later. Kylian Mbappé added a third before half-time and substitute Arda Güler completed the scoring in stoppage time.
The result gave Real Madrid nine points from their opening three league matches, underlining the impact Bellingham has made since returning to action and beginning a new chapter under Mourinho.
Bellingham finding freedom in Real Madrid’s new system
Bellingham has started the campaign with the kind of attacking influence that made him one of Real Madrid’s most important players during his first season at the club.
Against Malaga, he was not restricted to a single area of the pitch. He carried the ball through midfield, arrived in advanced positions and repeatedly found space between the opposition’s defensive and midfield lines.
That freedom was evident in his opening goal. Bellingham drove beyond the Malaga defence and finished from a tight angle, giving Madrid the breakthrough after a competitive opening phase.
He later explained that his current role has allowed him to move according to the demands of the game.
“Now I play a little more freely, with the freedom to move higher or lower depending on what we need,” Bellingham said after the match. “I’m really enjoying it, and that’s why I’m playing well.”
The performance followed another influential display in Madrid’s opening matches, with Bellingham contributing both goals and assists as Mourinho’s team made a winning start to the new season.
Real Madrid’s response strengthens their title challenge
Madrid had already shown their attacking strength in the opening weeks of the campaign, but the victory over Malaga offered another indication of how central Bellingham could be to their season.
Mbappé remains the team’s leading attacking threat and Vinicius Jr. continues to provide pace and creativity from wide areas, but Bellingham’s ability to connect midfield and attack gives Madrid another dimension.
His influence is particularly important because he can affect matches without relying solely on goals. He can progress possession, press high, arrive late in the penalty area and create opportunities for teammates.
That versatility has been a defining feature of his time at Real Madrid and was again visible against Malaga, where his contribution extended beyond the opening goal.
The Bernabéu crowd responded with a familiar chorus of “Hey Jude” as the midfielder’s resurgence continued.
Barcelona rivalry adds extra significance
Bellingham’s form will inevitably attract attention beyond Madrid, particularly as Real Madrid and Barcelona prepare for another closely watched battle at the top of Spanish football.
Barcelona also began the season strongly, recording a 5-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano to move level with Madrid on nine points after three matches.
The early standings leave little room for major conclusions, but they have already reinforced the expectation that the two clubs could again be central to the title race.
For Bellingham, the more significant development is personal. After periods in which his performances were judged heavily through goals and headline moments, his latest displays have served as a reminder of the broader qualities he brings to Madrid’s midfield.
He is once again influencing matches with his movement, intensity and ability to arrive in decisive areas, while still providing the end product expected from one of the world’s leading midfielders.
Madrid now turn their attention to upcoming league and European fixtures, with Bellingham’s form providing Mourinho with another major advantage in a squad already packed with attacking quality.
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Three matches into the season, Bellingham has already made one thing clear: his value to Real Madrid extends far beyond the number of goals beside his name.
