Jude Bellingham has heaped praise on Kylian Mbappe, describing him as the perfect teammate following his debut goal for Real Madrid in their UEFA Super Cup triumph over Atalanta. Mbappe found the back of the net with a powerful strike into the top-right corner after being set up by Bellingham near the penalty spot.
This goal made Mbappe the first Madrid player to score on his debut since Bellingham himself achieved the feat last year in LaLiga against Athletic Bilbao. When asked about Mbappe’s impressive start, Bellingham responded, “I think it was written in the stars for him. He’s just one of those players, isn’t he? He’s brilliant, sharp, and technically gifted. He’s also a great teammate who works tirelessly. He deserves all the credit for his performance tonight.”
There were doubts about how Carlo Ancelotti would fit Mbappe, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo into the same starting lineup, but the quartet proved their worth in the second half. Bellingham, playing in a slightly deeper position than before, had the most touches (75) and created the most chances (three) among all Madrid players.
Bellingham has now provided assists in all three of his recent appearances for Madrid, including last season’s Champions League and Supercopa de Espana finals. Reflecting on playing alongside Mbappe, Vinicius, and Rodrygo, Bellingham said, “We have a new-look team. In the first half, we were still adjusting, but in the second half, everything clicked. We were brilliant. It’s going to be a challenging year for us if we perform well in all competitions, which is our goal. So we need to savor nights like tonight.”
He emphasized the importance of patience and finding their rhythm as a team. Bellingham expressed his versatility, stating, “I can go higher up the pitch when needed and also drop back to help in the build-up. I’ll do whatever the coach asks of me. While I may not always score or assist, I hope to contribute to the team’s success.”
In conclusion, Bellingham’s admiration for Mbappe and his satisfaction with their team’s performance highlight the potential of this new-look Real Madrid squad. With their collective talent and determination, they aim to make a mark in various competitions throughout the season.
