Midfielder insists goals “have never been the most important thing” in his game
Bellingham has rubbished claims that Kylian Mbappe’s arrival at Real Madrid has caused his abilities in front of goal to suffer.
Bellingham joined Madrid in 2023 and quickly made a case for being one of the best midfielders in the world. He was best known for his marauding runs and prolific goal scoring from midfield. In that 2023-24 season, he netted 23 times for Madrid in 42 appearances in all competitions, numbers that would be impressive even for a forward.
The midfielder has failed to hit those heights since, due to a formation change after Mbappe joined the club in 2024 and took over the goalscoring burden. Bellingham believes it is only expected and does not diminish his own play in any way, and that he is still making decent enough contributions in front of goal.
“In my first season I lived very close to the rival box and scored quite a few goals, but after the arrival of Mbappe, we have a natural striker who scores 40 goals per season and it is no longer necessary for me to be so far forward,” the England international said.
“I scored 15 playing further back [last season], which is not bad at all. This year I am playing further back and I influence the play more. It is a different role but goals have never been the most important thing for me.”
Since Mbappe’s arrival he has been the biggest goalscoring threat at the club by a long distance. Last season he scored 44 goals in 59 games to claim the European golden boot. This season he is in contention again having scored 29 in 24 appearances so far.
But the goals have largely dried up from other sources in the Madrid team. Vinicius Junior has notably struggled to produce, the Brazilian currently on a 15-game dry patch. However, Bellingham jumped to his teammate’s defence.
“Goals don’t count the whole truth,” Bellingham said. “There are assists and important plays. We have to see him as a very useful teammate. I am sure he will be his old self again.”
