By Samuel A. August 13, 2023
20 year old England wonder midfielder, Jude Bellingham, scored on his competitive Real Madrid debut as they began their La Liga season with victory at Athletic Bilbao.
The former Birmingham youngster, who joined the Spanish giants for €103+30m in addons from Borussia Dortmund this summer, got Real’s second goal when he volleyed in from close range in a set piece situation, thus, becoming the first English player to score in a competitive game for Real since David Beckham in 2007.
Rodrygo had opened the scoring with a near post finish at San Mames, before Bellingham volleyed in from an Alaba cross.
In an impressive performance, Bellingham caught the eye early in the second half with a run from deep inside his own half, taking on two Athletic players before racing to the edge of their box. Bellingham played in all four of Real’s preseason friendlies, scoring in a 2-0 win over Manchester United in Texas.
Former England and Manchester United midfielder Beckham also scored on his league debut for Real in 2003.Real were runners up in La Liga last season, finishing 10 points behind Barcelona, but look to regain their place as kings of the La Liga.
“Bellingham is a fantastic kid, he displays quality, personality, he is a hard worker. He is just fantastic”, manager Carlo Ancelotti said in the post match conference.
“He is very motivated to be here, he is a fantastic player and a very, very important signing. We were on fire and motivated, we had a very good collective commitment, attitude, won many challenges, worked together defensively, a clean sheet was positive… it was a complete game, a very high level first half and a second half of total control.”
Real Madrid face Almeria in the second matchday of the LaLiga season.
