(foto: Getty Images)
Jude Bellingham’s form and behavior have declined sharply this season. After Real Madrid’s latest setbacks, the English star faces growing criticism over his numbers and attitude.
When Real Madrid lose, someone must carry the blame. After the dramatic Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich, much of the attention shifted toward Jude Bellingham.
The match itself ended in chaos. Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić sent off Eduardo Camavinga in the 86th minute, triggering outrage from Madrid’s players. Accustomed to controversial calls often favoring them, several reacted poorly. Bellingham stood out for the wrong reasons.
A clear statistical decline
His frustration reflects a broader issue: declining form. In his debut 2023/24 La Liga season, Bellingham exploded onto the scene with ten goals in his first ten matches. He finished with 19 goals in 28 league appearances. In the Champions League, he added four goals in eleven games.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti played a key role by pushing him into a more advanced position, often as a number ten or even a false nine. That tactical shift maximized his scoring output.
In 2024/25, the numbers dropped. With Kylian Mbappé arriving and occupying central attacking spaces, Bellingham scored nine goals in 31 league matches and three in 13 Champions League appearances.
This season, the regression is sharper. Four league goals in 21 matches. Two in nine Champions League games. The influence remains, but the decisiveness has faded.
Body language and frustration
Numbers alone do not tell the full story. Bellingham’s on-field behavior has also drawn criticism. He reacts visibly when things go wrong. Last year he kicked a VAR monitor during a substitution. He has clashed repeatedly with the English media and even launched his own app to control messaging.
Competitive fire can drive greatness. Repeated outbursts create a distraction. When frustration becomes routine, perception shifts quickly.
Still elite, but under scrutiny
At just 22, Bellingham remains one of the world’s most talented midfielders. His future is not in doubt. His current trajectory is.
The Santiago Bernabéu has a long tradition: players rarely take lasting blame. Coaches and referees often absorb it instead. Xabi Alonso and Vinčić have felt that pressure recently.
Yet in a season where expectations remain extreme, Bellingham’s dip in output and rising frustration place him at the center of scrutiny. Real Madrid demands excellence. When standards slip, even superstars feel the weight.