A return that Madrid had been waiting for almost two months. Jude Bellingham is back on the pitch — and immediately in a match against Atletico.
The Englishman came on in the 74th minute, replacing Arda Güler. This was his first match since February 1, and the break, as it turned out, was not easy for him.
“My recovery took a long time. It was mentally tough, but now I am very happy because I am back with my brothers.” This phrase after the game sounds like the key to his condition. Bellingham is not only talking about the physical side, but also about how important his connection with the team is to him.
The match itself unfolded perfectly for Real Madrid in terms of the script. A 3–2 victory in the derby, a brace from Vinicius, and a goal from Valverde — all of this relieves extra pressure from the returning player.
At the same time, Jude singled out Valverde, emphasizing his importance to the team. Inside Real Madrid, this is no longer just a collection of stars, but a clear system of roles.
Now the main question
Bellingham is only just starting to regain his form, and for now he is being carefully reintroduced through substitute appearances. But his impact on the game is too significant for him to remain in the shadows for long. The question is how quickly he will return to his level — and whether he will once again become the very center around which Real Madrid is built.
