Jude Bellingham unhappy with Real Madrid after Ballon d’Or treatment, out of place in Carlo Ancelotti tactics

By Ruairidh Barlow - 1 November 2024, 7:20

Last year, Jude Bellingham was arguably the standout player for Real Madrid, especially after his decisive performance against Barcelona at Montjuic. However, the rapid changes in football have left him feeling out of place and frustrated.

Recent headlines highlighted the controversy surrounding Rodri Hernandez’s Ballon d’Or win, with Real Madrid expressing disappointment that Vinicius Junior was overlooked for the award. The club suggested that if Vinicius was not the recipient, then Dani Carvajal should have been. Although Bellingham ranked higher than Carvajal, there was little acknowledgment from the club regarding his candidacy.

According to Diario AS, Bellingham is upset with the club's leadership for neglecting to consider him as a potential nominee while focusing their support on Vinicius.

Additionally, Bellingham's role has shifted from being Real Madrid's key player to a more defensive position, particularly during El Clasico where he was tasked with containing Alejandro Balde. His heatmap from last year's match shows he was more active on the right side, yet he had limited impact on the game aside from a few defensive plays.

The arrival of Kylian Mbappe this summer has further complicated Bellingham's situation. While discussions centered on the partnership between Mbappe and Vinicius, it is Vinicius who has retained his role, with Mbappe taking on a central position. Despite Ancelotti's initial commitment to keeping Bellingham in an attacking role, he has increasingly been sidelined in the team's strategy.