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Jude Bellingham has already won over Real Madrid supporters.

The 22-year-old midfielder has struggled to get started in the English World Cup due to injury and growing questions about his place in the squad.

However, the former Birmingham City man will be determined to prove to everyone that he is still England’s top La Liga player as he gets ready for Sunday’s El Clasico match against Barcelona. This includes former Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel.

With Barcelona’s in-form forward Marcus Rashford facing Bellingham, it will be the first El Clasico to pit two Englishmen against one another.

Due to injury, Real full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is unlikely to play in a third team as Madrid look to extend their two-point lead over their stout rivals.

An El Clasico serves as Bellingham’s ideal setting for a statement.

More than 80, 000 supporters will be gathered inside the Bernabeu, with the majority of them passionate Madrid supporters, making up the defining match of Spanish football.

Bellingham has won almost everything at club level since joining Borussia Dortmund in 2023, including La Liga and the Champions League.

And his outstanding performances don’t just include club football; he also demonstrated that his country has risen above expectations with his overhead kick in stoppage time against Slovakia last year at the Euros.

He was a member of the camp’s leadership group, won 44 international caps, and was voted England men’s player of the year by supporters in 2024 to 2025. He also has experience from three major tournaments.

However, Tuchel’s squad did not include Bellingham because they had earlier lost to Wales and Latvia earlier in October.

The England manager defended their relationship, insisting that it was just about keeping the core of the squad together, which had excelled in the matches against Andorra and Serbia in September.

Tuchel stated that he would speak with Bellingham before the upcoming November camp, and it seems unavoidable that the biggest question will be whether or not he will be called back.

After having shoulder surgery in July for a long-standing injury he sustained in 2023, Bellingham’s start to the season was unavoidably challenging.

He missed five games for Los Blancos out of 63 days of training and playing.

He made his first appearance for Madrid in late September, and the Madrid supporters roared when they heard his return.

Bellingham “has nothing to prove on Sunday,” remarked Real supporter Carlos Campillo. He already accomplishes that with every game he competes in and every assist he receives. He is self-sufficient in all of his claims.

It’s not a decisive game for him, said fellow fan Juan Antonio Lillo. He needs to pick up the game’s pace and feel. He will eventually reach the level he needs to be at, and it’s just one more step.

He has appeared in six more games in all competitions since Bellingham’s return, gradually increasing his minutes and trying to rediscover his best form.

His influence was limited for the majority of that time, until this week, when his champions’ and perhaps also his, were reignited by his matchwinning goal in the Champions League against Juventus.

After scoring his first goal of the season, Bellingham expressed his excitement that it has been a long time since he scored, spent a lot of time out, and dreamed of playing for a big team.

It’s unbelievable to score a winner here at home. Really good, I felt at ease. The team greatly benefits from a winning goal, and playing well was important.

Bellingham had a stellar debut season at the Bernabeu, scoring 19 goals in La Liga, but his performance suffered as Madrid came to an end with a disappointing campaign.

He expressed regret for not believing last year to be a disaster. [It was] still 15 goals and 14 assists, but I am aware that the overall impression was worse. But I was a part of that, given how poorly we performed last year.

Bellingham, who is also trying to get a World Cup spot with England while he is on loan from Manchester United, will have his first taste of El Clasico, but he is an old man.

A victory at El Clasico feels like it, Campillo said.

Bellingham has scored three goals in his first four El Clasico appearances, two goals in his second and two in his third.

Since Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2007, he became the first Real player to score in their first two La Liga championship games, a feat that quickly made his name a part of the club’s history books.

He has participated in every game to date in its entirety.

Jude Bellingham’s international break came just in time. Xabi Alonso was pleased to have him around, not only to encourage his recovery from injury but also to discuss his role face-to-face.

Bellingham is perceived by the manager as a hybrid team that operates both forward and midfield, just behind Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe.

However, Alonso’s current goal is to retrieve Bellingham, which was released in the box with perfect timing and scoring freely.

The Englishman was everywhere last season, but ultimately he was less effective because his role expanded so much. Do less to be more, according to Alonso’s clear message.

The team failed to win 17 of their 30 games because Vinicius, Mbappe, and Bellingham were all starters, according to the statistics. Not enough harmony in the attack and not enough defending from the front were present.

Bellingham was substituted for Kairat Almaty and Villarreal following their colossal 5-2 defeat by Atletico Madrid in September. He was replaced against Getafe, but he returned to the starting lineup after the international break, and he is expected to start against Barcelona.

Jude Bellingham is already a hero among Real Madrid fans.

The 22-year-old midfielder has had a difficult start to the campaign after injury and growing questions around his place in England’s World Cup squad.

But, as he prepares for Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona, the former Birmingham City man will be determined to prove to everyone – including Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel – he is still England’s leading man in La Liga.

It is set to be the first El Clasico to feature two English players in opposition, with Barcelona’s in-form forward Marcus Rashford set to face Bellingham.

The involvement of a third – Real full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold – is unlikely because of injury, as Madrid look to stretch their two-point lead at the top over their bitter rivals.

For Bellingham, an El Clasico provides the perfect stage to make a statement.

The defining fixture of Spanish football, there will be more than 80,000 fans packed inside the Bernabeu – the majority being passionate Madridistas.

Since joining Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in 2023, Bellingham has won pretty much everything at club level – including La Liga and the Champions League.

And his standout performances haven’t been limited to club football – his overhead kick in stoppage time against Slovakia at last year’s Euros was just one example of him rising to the occasion for his country.

With 44 international caps, he has experience of three major tournaments, was part of the leadership group in the camp, and voted England men’s player of the year for 2024-25 by supporters.

Yet Bellingham was left out Tuchel’s squad for their wins over Wales and Latvia earlier in October.

The England manager insisted there was no personal issue between them, stressing the decision was purely about maintaining the core of the squad that had performed well during the September fixtures against Andorra and Serbia.

Tuchel said he will speak to Bellingham before the next camp in November – and it already seems inevitable the biggest story around that squad selection will be whether he gets recalled.

Bellingham’s start to the season was inevitably difficult, having had shoulder surgery in July for a long-standing injury he sustained in 2023.

He missed 63 days of training and playing, including five matches for Los Blancos.

In his first appearance back in late September, he was welcomed to the pitch with a huge roar as his return thrilled the Madridistas.

“Bellingham has nothing to prove on Sunday,” said Real supporter Carlos Campillo. “He already does that with every game he plays in and every assist he makes. He doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone but himself.

Fellow fan Juan Antonio Lillo added: “It’s not a decisive game for him. He needs to keep picking up pace and getting a feel for the game. It’s just one more step towards reaching the level he needs to be at and he’ll get there sooner or later.”

Since Bellingham’s return, he has appeared in six more fixtures in all competitions, slowly increasing his minutes and trying to rediscover his best form.

For much of that stretch, however, his influence was limited – until this week, where his match-winning goal in the Champions League against Juventus reignited the Bernabeu’s belief – and perhaps his too.

“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and dreaming of that moment, back in the Champions League and against a big team”, Bellingham told US broadcaster CBS after scoring his first goal of the season.

“To score a winner here at home, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, really good. To play well was important, and to score the winning goal helps the team a lot.”

Bellingham shone in his debut season at the Bernabeu, scoring 19 goals in La Liga, but his form dipped slightly in 2024–25 as Madrid finished the campaign without a major trophy.

“I didn’t think last year was a disaster,” he reflected. “[It was] still 15 goals, 14 assists, but I know the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we didn’t play as well last year.

Rashford, also bidding to earn a World Cup slot with England while on loan from Manchester United, will be experiencing an El Clasico for the first time, but Bellingham is an old hand.

“It’s like playing in a final – a victory in El Clasico feels like that,” Campillo said.

In his four El Clasico appearances, Bellingham has scored three times – two in his first and once in his second.

He became the first Real player to score in his first two La Liga Clasicos since Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2007 – a feat that quickly etched his name into the club’s history books.

To date, he has played the full match in every fixture.

Jude Bellingham’s international break came at the right time. Xabi Alonso was happy to have him around, not only to help him regain full fitness but also to speak face to face about his role.

The manager sees Bellingham as a hybrid – part midfielder, part forward – operating just behind Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe.

But Alonso’s aim now is to recover the first version of Bellingham – the one who arrived in the box with perfect timing and scored freely.

Last season, the Englishman’s role expanded so much that he was everywhere – and in the end, less effective. Alonso’s message has been clear – do less to be more.

The statistics support that rethink – with Vinicius, Mbappe and Bellingham all starting, the team failed to win 17 of their 30 matches. There was not enough defending from the front, not enough harmony in attack

After the heavy 5-2 defeat by Atletico Madrid in September, Bellingham was left on the bench against Kairat Almaty and Villarreal. But following the international break, he returned to the starting line-up against Getafe and is expected to start against Barcelona.

Fabio Wardley vs. Joseph Parker

O2 Arena, London Date: Saturday, October 25th, 2018

In Cardiff, New Zealand’s Joseph Parker and British boxing’s Anthony Joshua squared off in a unified heavyweight title fight.

As fight fans gathered around shimmering television screens in an Ipswich boozer, a whiff of lager and crackle of anticipation filled The Plough.

Fabio Wardley, a novice professional who had a few fights, was one of the spectators who watched the night before, cheering with his pals as pints fell and punches flew.

Wardley was still dabbling in the unlicensed white-collar scene two years prior, when Parker won the WBO title against Andy Ruiz, despite having only laced up gloves when she was a 20-year veteran of recruitment.

The idea of Parker and him sharing a ring, let alone a billing, sounded like something that had been invented after a few rounds.

Wardley claims that she had no lofty professional goals. “I just got into it because I liked how competitive it was in one-on-one relationships.”

However, a good night’s sleep can transform a person’s life sooner. The man who once watched Parker at O2 Arena in London with a pint in hand will stand up to him on Saturday.

Oleksandr Usyk and all four of the world’s heavyweight titles are anticipated to be won by the winner.

Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs), who has a lot of experience, is an underdog against Parker, whose sensational knockout ratio ensures that there is always a chance for a one-man punch to end the fight.

He has demonstrated his ability to deliver that devastating force against formidable domestic foes, such as his brutal rematch with Frazer Clarke, who won gold in the Olympics.

The Englishman strengthened his standing as a real threat by defeating Australian Justis Huni in June.

Wardley is adamant that Parker will stop Parker before the last bell because he believes his reputation as a knockout fighter can cause opponents to undervalue his boxing prowess.

Wardley claims that “my track record of knocking out fighters is evident.” Parker’s absence doesn’t seem like I should [knock him out], but I do have faith in it.

Parker has a penchant for canvassing. Zhilei Zhang, Dillian Whyte, and Derek Chisora have dropped him, and Joe Joyce has knocked him out.

He has a proven world-level contender, whether he is a top-three or top-four heavyweight, and has under coach Andy Lee rebuilt his career impressively.

According to 33-year-old Parker, “I’ve been operating at a higher level for a long time, and I feel like I’m only getting better.”

Both men have an opinion about the pressure.

Parker has previously been a world champion. He has the training. The underdog is me. Everyone will be surprised if I win,” Wardley says.

Parker agrees, but he continues, “I don’t feel any pressure because I’m prepared the best I can.”

Parker has the unfortunate distinction of not having the opportunity to become a two-time world champion after defeating Deontay Wilder and Zhang.

Before being forced to withdraw due to illness, the Briton was scheduled to fight Daniel Dubois in February for the IBF belt. Parker then effortlessly defeated stand-in Martin Bakole.

Parker, the mandatory challenger to Usyk and the WBO’s interim champion, could have anticipated the undisputed king’s recovery and inevitable payday, but that is not his style.

He claims that relaxing and waiting for a fight with Usyk is futile.

“Imagine waiting for it for so long before you finally received it.” What purpose did it serve? We simply want to fight the best fighters available to us as a team.

Wardley has a chance to demonstrate how far raw ambition and heavy hands can take him while Parker is confident that his risk will be justified.