Cristiano Ronaldo remains a huge part of Real Madrid’s history, with the Portuguese superstar being the club’s all-time leading goalscorer with 450 goals. Real Madrid, who used to be famous for making at least one statement signing every summer, have spent the last few years investing in young players rather than the usual superstar signing they used to make years ago.
The Spanish giants now have a team of some of the brightest youngsters in world football. Vinicius Jr., Rodyrgo, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, and most recently, Jude Bellingham are all part of the Real Madrid squad that will challenge for trophies for many years to come.
Bellingham’s impact draws comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo’s early days in Madrid
A few eyebrows were raised when Real Madrid forked out a massive $112 million transfer fee on Jude Bellingham earlier this summer. However, the young Englishman has come good for the Spanish giants, scoring three goals and one assist in his first two games for his new club, becoming the first player to do so since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009. While it’s too early to draw comparisons between the young midfielder and the best player in the club’s history, if Bellingham continues his run of form, he’ll be a tough player to ignore in the coming years.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored in each of his first four games for Real Madrid when he signed from Manchester United in 2009. He became the club’s all-time goalscorer, scoring 450 goals in over 430 games for the Los Blancos, a feat that may be hard to break for another few years. Ronaldo now plies his trade in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr at 38, but Jude Bellingham hopes to continue his impressive form for Real Madrid to become one of the best players in Europe and maybe someday win the Ballon d’Or.
Real Madrid overcame their early-season injuries to beat Almeria 3-1 away from home, with Bellingham scoring a brace and assisting Vinicius Jr.’s goal. Ancelotti is currently dealing with an injury crisis to first-team players like Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao, with Jude Bellingham’s performance may make things easier on this Los Blancos squad.
England star joined Real Madrid in record-breaking transfer
Jude Bellingham was one of the hottest prospects in Europe last season, with the Englishman shining for Dortmund. It became clear that Madrid would offer a premium fee to the German club to lure Bellingham to the Spanish capital, and that’s precisely what they did. Fiorentino Perez sanctioned a $112 million transfer fee to bring the former Birmingham City star to the Santiago Bernabeu.
At just 19, Bellingham is the most expensive English player ever, with Real Madrid breaking the fee Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish in 2021 to bring the former Aston Villa winger to the Etihad.
Can Jude Bellingham inspire Real Madrid to a trophy-laden season? Make sure to put down your predictions in the comments.
