JUDE BELLINGHAM got off to a dream start in his Real Madrid career after scoring a stunning volley and turning in a man of the match performance.
Bellingham was making his first La Liga appearance since his £88.5million – rising to £115m – transfer from Borussia Dortmund.
After being given the nod to start in midfield, the Real Madrid faithful only had to wait 36 minutes before Bellingham came up with a moment of magic against Athletic Bilbao.
David Alaba whipped a corner into the area which sailed over a congested six-yard box.
Bellingham, after initially being part of this pack, had retreated away from the goal.
And as luck had it the ball landed straight at the feet of the 20-year-old for a side-footed volley.
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His effort proceeded to bounce directly into the floor, but despite the scuffed strike Bellingham’s shot headed towards the far corner.
After bouncing into the turf the bounce up had enough height to find its way into the top corner despite a fully stretched Unai Simon.
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Bellingham wheeled off in celebration before stretching his arms out wide as he stopped in front of rival fans to announce to arrival.
As Dortmund’s top scorer with 14 goals last season he certainly is a threat going forward – but the former Birmingham man can do the lot.
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As well as grabbing his goal and looking to loop in tantalising crosses, Bellingham was snuffing things out at the back and happily taking on three Bilbao players in his own half.
The midfielder drifted this way and that before, backed into a corner, winning a throw with some tricky footwork to the delight of the small travelling contingent high in San Mames stadium.
It wasn’t a one-off either.
With Madrid in the lead through Rodrygo’s opener, Nico Williams looked to have been gifted a chance on the break after a loose ball by the goalscorer.
But his new teammate was on hand to spare any blushes, keeping pace and stretching out a leg on the slide to hook the ball away and stop Williams in his tracks.
And after seeing his debut goal, Madrid fans will be hoping he can help them reclaim the La Liga title.
Moments after his challenge, Bellingham was in the six-yard box looking to backheel a Camavinga cross past goalkeeper Unai Simon.
That effort was blocked and sent behind for a corner – from which he struck his first goal in all white.
The second half was less dramatic but still so easy on the eye – the debutant drifting through from front to back and left to right with an air of effortless grace.
Bilbao did their best to stop him, clipping and tripping throughout, but Bellingham bounced back up each time.
Performances like this can sell tickets on their own. It would be money well spent.
If he is to live up to the billing as the man to lead the new era at Real Madrid – iconic duo Luka Modric and Toni Kroos were benched here – then this is the perfect start.
Kroos and Modric have set the standard, and there are stars dotted throughout this side – with many hoping an even bigger name in Kylian Mbappe will arrive before the window closes.
Bellingham also scored a brilliant goal in pre-season against Manchester United.
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But 16 years since David Beckham last strutted his stuff as a Galactico, there is a new English icon in Madrid.
Meanwhile, fellow England star Harry Kane got off to a nightmare start to life in Germany after seeing Bayern Munich lose 3-0 to RB Leipzig on his debut in the DFL-Supercup.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
