Real Madrid's new king of clutch: Jude Bellingham

Every iteration has its clutch goalscorer. That is a hallmark of Real Madrid side that goes on to achieve great things. The team of the early 2000s had Raúl, the team of the 2010s had Ronaldo and Ramos, and Benzema picked up where Ronaldo left off once the Portuguese left the Spanish capital. Vinícius and Rodrygo have also proven their worth when the lights are the brightest, and are set to be the go-to guys in big games for years to come. Yet, in 2023, there was a new face in Madrid. A superstar all regards, a massive transfer who everyone expected to be one of the best players in an already star-studded Real Madrid team. Even with all the hype around him, the goalscoring exploits of Jude Bellingham were not what people initially expected from him, but now it has become as natural as expecting Vinícius or Mbappé to score. Having scored 19 goals in debut LaLiga season, and having scored 9 in all competitions for Madrid this season already, Jude has become one of the premier goal threats in the team. This alone is incredible for a midfielder, but the manner in which his goals have come will truly blow your mind. Out of his total of 32 goals, 14 of them have either come as equalizers, game-winners, or go ahead of goals. 43.75% of his goals have come as clutch goals, which is a truly incredible statistic considering how high volume of a scorer Jude is.

These statistics on face-value are incredible, but the timing with which, and the stage of these goals makes them even more special. A plethora of late winners and equalizers, including a 90+ winner in both Clasicos last season, Jude has truly shown he is the man for the moment. His early season exploits last season, which include back-to-back late winners against Celta (81^st minute) and Getafe (90+5), an early brace vs Almeria to lead the comeback, a 90+4-minute winner against Union Berlin, 61^st minute winner vs Braga, the aforementioned winner against Barcelona, all helped Real Madrid get through a period marred with injuries and paved the way for their eventual LaLiga victory.

This season he had a goal drought at the start of the season, he has regained his scoring touch in recent weeks, and the goals have again proven to be incredibly important for the team. It was him whos scored to make the score level with Rayo, it was him who scored a 90+6-minute winner at Mestalla to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against Valencia. He followed that up with the first goal against Mallorca in the Supercopa semi-final, which remained 1-0 up until the very last minutes of the game. It was Jude once again who came up with the goods when the team needed them the most.

Factor in his assists, and his clutch performances go to a whole different stratosphere. In the aforementioned game against Valencia, it was Jude who provided the assist to Modrić for his 85^th minute equalizer. A few weeks earlier, it was Jude who played a fantastic through ball to Mbappé to start the scoring against Getafe. He himself then scored the second that game to seal the win. Against Dortmund in the incredible 5-2 comeback win, he was the one who provided the assist for Viní Jr. to make it 4-2 and seal the win. In the Champions League final last season, it was him who provided the assist for Vinícius to make it 2-0 and confirm Real Madrid’s victory. In an incredibly crucial 3-2 win over Almeria in LaLiga, he was the one who set-up Dani Carvajal’s 90+6-minute winner. He was also the one who set Vinícius through on goal with a perfectly threaded pass vs Barcelona in the Supercopa final last January.

Without Jude, it is obvious that Real Madrid would not have won anything last season. A hero for the most important of games, Jude has come to embody the undying spirit of Real Madrid that makes them feared throughout Europe. It doesn’t matter if Madrid are down in the 3^rd minute or the 93^rd, Jude Bellingham will almost always have an answer. Whether it is coming up with a goal himself or setting up one of his teammates, Jude Bellingham has become the new clutch king of Chamartin.