Why Bellingham can rescue Real Madrid’s Euro dream

Real Madrid’s upcoming clash against Bayern Munich on Wednesday is critical as they seek to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit in the Champions League knockout stage. The German champions dominated much of the first match at the Bernabeu, but a late surge by the Spanish giants shifted the momentum. A pivotal moment came when Jude Bellingham entered the game in the 62nd minute, directly contributing to Real’s revival after being two goals down.

Bellingham has become a key figure in Real’s recent resurgence, showcasing his signature energetic runs and orchestrating vital plays. His performance in the second leg has raised hopes of a dramatic turnaround, potentially securing Real a spot in the 17th Champions League semi-final. Meanwhile, in La Liga, the club trails Barcelona by nine points with seven games remaining, adding pressure to his role as a central player.

A return to form and focus

Bellingham has made 32 appearances for Real Madrid this season, scoring six goals and providing four assists. After a left hamstring injury in February kept him out for 10 matches, he only returned to the starting XI on Friday in a La Liga draw against Girona. Ahead of the return tie, Bellingham reflected on his recovery: “I feel good,” he said. “It’s frustrating to be injured. The hardest part is coming back and preparing mentally for matches. The more minutes you play, the better, and that increases your confidence little by little.”

“It was very good for him to regain his rhythm and feel for the game. Understandably, he’s quite tired after being sidelined for so long. We have to be very happy with his performance,” added Arbeloa, who has praised Bellingham’s contributions both on and off the pitch.

Bellingham’s presence during his recovery has been valued for his influence beyond scoring. He accompanied the squad to Manchester for their last-16 second-leg tie against Pep Guardiola’s City, even though he didn’t play. Arbeloa highlighted the importance of his team spirit: “It’s important for him to be around his teammates. In the team talk and at half-time, he’ll be one of the leaders, as he always is.”

A challenge against his former team

The fixture against Bayern Munich holds special significance for Bellingham, as he has faced them more than any other side in his career. Despite his efforts, he has struggled to make a decisive impact in these encounters, winning just once in 11 previous meetings and registering three assists without a goal. He will now face his former teammates, including Harry Kane, who led Bayern’s attack in the first leg and scored one of their goals.

“Harry Kane is a sensational player,” Bellingham admitted. “It’s a source of pride to have him in the England squad, and I think they’re going to win the Bundesliga even though my brother [Jobe] is at Borussia Dortmund.”

Bellingham acknowledged the difficulty of the task, noting Bayern’s strength: “Bayern always compete at the highest level. I played here with Dortmund and I know how tough it is.” He emphasized the stakes, stating: “It’s going to be a very long tie, and we have to come out strong. Any defeat is a disaster, and seeing where we are, it’s a final. We have a lot at stake, and it’s all or nothing.”

Former Real and Portugal winger Luis Figo believes Bellingham has the potential to be decisive on the biggest stage. “He showed in the first leg that he can come on and change the game. He has the quality to make the difference,” Figo told Spanish media.