Bellingham: Last season 'no disaster', but Real Madrid want more

Jude Bellingham does not believe his 2024-25 campaign was a "disaster", but he wants more this season, having got off the mark in Wednesday's Champions League win over Juventus.

Bellingham scored the only goal in the 57th minute as Madrid overcame the Bianconeri to make it nine points from three league-phase matches in UEFA's flagship tournament.

The England international reacted quickest to tap home after Vinicius Junior dragged a shot against the base of the post, scoring his fourth Champions League goal against Italian opponents – more than he has against sides from any other nation.

However, it was Bellingham's first goal since the Club World Cup, having undergone shoulder surgery and missed the start of Madrid's campaign.

Including the Club World Cup, Bellingham registered 15 goals and 14 assists last season, down on his 36 goal involvements in 2023-24 (23 goals, 13 assists).

Bellingham told CBS of his relief at getting back on the scoresheet after full-time, saying: "It's a great feeling. 

"It has been a long time now since I've scored, it's been a lot of time out and dreaming of that moment, back in the Champions League and against a big team. 

"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."

Madrid failed to win a major trophy last season as Barcelona won a LaLiga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana treble, while Los Blancos were dumped out of the Champions League by Arsenal at the quarter-final stage.

But with Xabi Alonso now at the helm, Bellingham feels both he and Madrid are primed to do better this season.

"I didn't think last year was a disaster," Bellingham said. "I still got 15 goals, 14 assists, but I know the general feeling was that it was worse. 

"I was a part of that, how we didn't play as well last year. There were still good moments, but it was not the level I wanted to play at, not a level like the first year. 

"Now I've had my shoulder surgery, we've got a new manager, he's got that shape, how we want to play. You have to learn from it."

Madrid are next in action against Barcelona in the first Clasico of the season on Sunday, having lost each of their last four meetings with the Blaugrana.

That is their second-worst losing run in the history of El Clasico, having lost five in a row against Pep Guardiola's Barca between 2008 and 2010.