Recent developments in Spain have put Jude Bellingham in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

Following the high-profile arrival of Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid, Bellingham has been dubbed the ‘big loser’ of the situation.

A Stellar Start

Since making his £113 million move to Madrid in June 2023, Bellingham has enjoyed a remarkable debut season, netting 23 goals and playing a pivotal role in securing both LaLiga and the Champions League titles.

His talent and charisma quickly won over the Madrid fans, who frequently chanted The Beatles’ classic “Hey Jude” in his honor.

However, as the 2024-25 season unfolds, the England international finds himself struggling to find the back of the net.

His recent performance has left him overshadowed as Madrid’s focal point, according to reports from AS.

Mbappe Takes Center Stage

With Mbappe finally achieving his long-awaited transfer to Madrid, the dynamics within the team have shifted significantly.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti has had to adjust his tactics to accommodate both Mbappe and Vinicius Jr., who together have already tallied 16 goals this season.

Unfortunately for Bellingham, this has meant a change in his role, moving him away from the attacking positions where he previously excelled.

Last season, Bellingham thrived as a No. 10 and even played as a false nine, but this year he has been deployed deeper on the pitch.

By this time last season, he had already scored 13 goals, including a pair in a comeback victory against Barcelona.

A Struggle to Adapt

Since being pushed back into a more defensive role, Bellingham has struggled to replicate his earlier success.

This was glaringly evident in last weekend’s 4-0 defeat to Barcelona, where he attempted just 17 passes—the lowest since joining the team.

Instead of making a mark in the attacking third, he found himself frequently tracking back to assist defensively.

Ancelotti has come to Bellingham’s defense, recognizing the sacrifices he’s made for the team’s benefit.

“We are satisfied with his work because he does a lot on the pitch,” Ancelotti stated.

“He competes a lot, he sacrifices himself… The surprise is not this year, but the goals he scored last year.”

Competing for Recognition

Despite Ancelotti’s support, it’s clear that Bellingham is not making the same impact on games as before.

Madrid has struggled to hit their stride this season, currently trailing Barcelona by six points in LaLiga and suffering a defeat to Lille in the Champions League.

After an outstanding year that saw him finish third in the Ballon d’Or rankings, behind Rodri and Vinicius Jr., Bellingham’s recent performances have led to a decline in his star status within the club.

The situation was made more uncomfortable when Madrid announced they would boycott the Ballon d’Or awards after Vinicius Jr. was overlooked for the top prize.

The club expressed their discontent with a statement emphasizing their respect for players like Vinicius and Dani Carvajal but notably excluded Bellingham.

Feeling Overlooked

This snub has left Bellingham in an awkward position, especially as other Madrid players took to social media to support Vinicius Jr.

Unlike his teammates, Bellingham did not participate in the online show of solidarity.

He might feel sidelined, watching Vinicius steal the spotlight while he grapples with his recent slump in form.

As the season progresses, it remains to be seen whether Bellingham can regain the form that dazzled fans last year.

Without a return to his previous brilliance, he risks being left on the periphery as his teammates, particularly Mbappe and Vinicius, shine in the limelight.

What lies ahead for him will be crucial in determining his role at Real Madrid moving forward.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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