**Spanish Media Make Feelings Clear About Jude Bellingham After El Clasico**
Kylian Mbappé’s hat-trick heroics were overshadowed as Barcelona secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over Real Madrid in Sunday’s El Clásico. Despite Mbappé’s brilliance, Barcelona’s resilience, led by Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, turned the tide after an early two-goal deficit. The loss leaves Real Madrid’s title hopes in jeopardy, with Barcelona now just two points away from clinching La Liga.
Jude Bellingham, who has been instrumental for Real Madrid this season, endured a frustrating night. The English midfielder, known for his attacking contributions, was largely ineffective in a game where his team needed leadership. Spanish media were quick to highlight his struggles, with many questioning his impact in such a high-stakes encounter.
Marca delivered a scathing assessment, stating Bellingham was “out of control” and failed to influence the game as expected. The publication criticized his inability to dictate play, noting that he relied too heavily on long balls rather than driving his team forward. For a player of his caliber, the performance fell well below expectations.
Diario AS echoed similar sentiments, describing Bellingham as “unrecognizable” in midfield. The report suggested he appeared physically and mentally exhausted, a stark contrast to his usual dominant displays. His lack of presence in key areas was a major factor in Real Madrid’s midfield collapse.
Statistically, Bellingham’s performance was underwhelming. In 90 minutes, he recorded zero touches in Barcelona’s box, zero shots, and zero key passes. While he showed defensive effort with four recoveries and nine duel wins, his attacking influence was sorely missed. His 76% pass accuracy further highlighted his struggles to connect play effectively.
This season, Bellingham has been a revelation for Real Madrid, contributing 23 goals and 13 assists in all competitions. However, his subdued display in El Clásico raised concerns about his form at a crucial stage of the campaign. With the title slipping away, the pressure is mounting on the young midfielder.
Despite the setback, Real Madrid still have the Club World Cup to look forward to in June. Bellingham will have a chance to redeem himself, but the Spanish media’s verdict is clear—his performance against Barcelona was far from his best.
As the season nears its conclusion, questions linger over whether Real Madrid can salvage silverware. For Bellingham, this match served as a harsh reminder of the demands at the highest level. The coming weeks will test his ability to bounce back.