The midfielder is coming close to matching Ronaldo both in terms of goal numbers and swagger during his early days in the Spanish capital
Wearing the No.5 shirt for Real Madrid and weaving his way through opposition defenders on his way to a masterful individual goal, it was hard not to invoke memories of Zinedine Zidane while watching Jude Bellingham take on Napoli in Tuesday's thrilling Champions League clash. Despite the French midfielder's legendary status, though, that might even be selling Belingham short on current form.
By netting Madrid's second goal in their 3-2 win, he became just the second Madrid player to score in their first two Champions League games for club. The only other man on that list? Cristiano Ronaldo.
To put Bellingham in Ronaldo's bracket after just nine games might seem foolish. Ronaldo, of course, spent nearly 10 years at Madrid, scored 450 goals, won La Liga twice, bagged four Champions Leagues, and took home the Ballon d'Or four times. Bellingham, by comparison, has had a prolific start, but Madrid have a meagre one-point lead atop La Liga. They are not the same kind of player, nor the same quality (yet).
It is, though, difficult to recall any player who has had such an instant impact on the 14-time European champions and the city that surrounds them Ronaldo arrived from Manchester United in 2009. For an ageing Madrid side who are on the hunt for their next Galactico, there is comfort to be found in the fact that their newest megastar looks to have arrived, and has the potential to reach Ronaldo-levels of impact on the team.
Getty ImagesAlternative arrivals
It started in May 2008. Spanish publication reported that Ronaldo, by consensus the best player in the Premier League and assumed Ballon d'Or winner, wanted to leave Manchester United. A day later, Ronaldo denied it. Sir Alex Ferguson convinced the player to stay for one more season, but the re-election of Florentino Perez as Madrid president in 2009 all-but sealed the deal. Here was architect of the original Galacticos returning to his gilded chair at Santiago Bernabeu, and he wanted the jewel of the Premier League.
Ronaldo's arrival, sealed in June 2009, was appropriately grandiose. The picture is now infamous: Ronaldo, head up and arms spread, taking in the roar of a packed stadium. The Madrid white is crisp, his hair is appropriately tangled. He was greeted by Alfredo di Stefano as he walked on the stage, then considered the best player in Madrid history. Everything was set up for the new signing to etch himself into Madrid greatness.
Bellingham's arrival, by comparison, was tame. The 19-year-old was taken on a tour of Valdebebas. before a press conference and photoshoot. For a €103-million(£88m/$110m) million player — a more expensive signing than Ronaldo — this was hardly a glorious entrance.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesAn ideal introduction
In a sense, though, Bellingham's unveiling felt more high-stakes. Ronaldo, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner and proven Premier League superstar, didn't really have anything to prove when he arrived in Spain. His footballing legacy was well on its way to being secure at the age of 24, even if he was able to grow his legend considerably at the Bernabeu.
Bellingham is different. Though considered by most in England and Germany as being one of the most talented midfielders in the world, Madrid fans weren't quite convinced. Here arrived a 19-year-old, hailing from a country that has never managed to produce the kind of technical midfielders that La Liga values, who was going to wear Zidane's shirt.
It is hard to find fanbases that seem to value a connection with the badge more than Madrid. It is contradictory that one the biggest clubs in Europe, with such a global brand, covets players who must understand what it means to be a 'Madridista.'
Bellingham certainly gave the impression that he did. In his introductory press conference, the Englishman was equal parts arrogant and humble; a teenager that seemed assured in his own abilities, but well aware that he was not at the level of Madrid's greats. At least not yet. He called Madrid "the greatest club in the history of the game". He admitted that he had "goosebumps" when Los Blancos first expressed their interest. He called Zidane one of the best to ever play the game, but emphasised that he wasn't "trying to be the same as him".
This was an ideal way to go about things, a big-money signing showing he was aware of what Madrid needed and what he hoped to bring.
Getty ImagesReplacing the irreplaceable
It was hard to ignore there was certainly a void to be filled at the Bernabeu. Ronaldo is, by pretty much any measure, the best player in Madrid history. Depending on which side of footballing theory you subscribe to, he is either the best, or among the best players to ever kick a ball.
For nine glorious years, he effectively ran Madrid. Ronaldo smashed every goalscoring record for Los Blancos, and won everything there was to win. In an era when the Pep-Guardiola-led Barcelona looked primed to dominate Spanish and European football, Ronaldo effectively levelled the playing field almost on his own.
There were other greats alongside him — Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso and Gareth Bale, to name a few — but Ronaldo played superstar. He had a swagger about him. There was a signature celebration, a massive Nike deal, an impending sense of dread from opposing defenders every time he touched the ball.
Madrid were never dead when Ronaldo was on the pitch; he could turn games on his own, and make it all look very easy. A winner at Camp Nou was met with him telling the riled up Barca fans to "calma". A bicycle kick against Juventus drew a standing ovation from the 41,000 supporters in Turin. This was a product, a star, a commodity, and also an elite footballer.
And Madrid haven't really had anyone like him since. Benzema led from the front with his goals upon Ronaldo's exit in 2018, but as he entered his mid-30s, it was clear that was never a long-term solution. Vinicius Jr has assumed some of the mantle, especially given his attacking stardom and infectious personality on the ball. But by no fault of his own, the Brazilian doesn't have the adulation of Spanish football quite like Ronaldo.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
GettyAll the makings of a superstar
Bellingham, though, looks ready to take on that mantle. For all of his platitudes about being humbled by the shirt, and understanding the pressure that comes with playing at Santiago Bernabeu, Bellingham plays like he's the best in the world. He dribbles more than everyone on the pitch except Vinicius, finds gaps in defences with scything runs and powerful strides. He seems to hold onto the ball for too long — and then find the killer pass. He is so good on the ball, that the wrong decisions are made to look right.
And then there are the goals. Bellingham rarely smashes them in from 25 yards, or peels off the shoulder of the last defender to meet a perfectly-timed cross. Nor does he chop behind his right leg, pivot onto his left, and curl the ball past a sprawling goalkeeper.
Instead, he creeps into the right areas, and sniffs out chances. He anticipates rebounds to poke home from close range. He has shown throughout his short career, most recently in Naples, that he can pull off the spectacular, too.
But when the ball does hit the net, something recognisable happens. Bellingham's now trademark celebration started in his Birmingham City days. The midfielder runs to the fans — opposing or friendly — and raises his arms in adulation, a silent plea for acknowledgment. These days, he finishes it with an almost aggressive grabbing of the Madrid badge, tugging on the shirt with such vigour that it wouldn't be a shock if stitches fell out of the expensive-looking adidas top. It's not Ronaldo 'Siu', but it's close.