Bellingham Returns to Madrid for 'Dream' Link-up With José Mourinho

Jude Bellingham returned to Valdebebas on Wednesday following a seven-goal World Cup campaign to begin his fourth season under new coach José Mourinho.

Jude Bellingham described the opportunity to work with José Mourinho as "a dream" during a Thursday interview with Real Madrid TV. The 23-year-old England midfielder rejoined his teammates at Valdebebas on Wednesday, marking the final arrival for preseason training. This transition follows a World Cup campaign where Bellingham scored seven goals to lead England to the semifinals before being eliminated by Argentina.

Mourinho returns to the Santiago Bernabéu for a second stint in charge, succeeding the coaching duo of Xabi Alonso and Álvaro Arbeloa. The managerial change follows a season where Madrid finished second in LaLiga, trailing champions Barcelona by eight points. The club also exited the Champions League in the quarterfinal stage following a defeat to Bayern Munich.

Squad Reinforcements and Preseason Schedule

Real Madrid has bolstered the roster during the current transfer window with five key signings: Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, and Carlos Espí. These additions aim to rectify a two-year period without a major trophy, following Bellingham's debut season double of the LaLiga title and the Champions League trophy. The team is scheduled to play a friendly against Schalke this Sunday before their competitive calendar begins.

Due to Spain's participation in the World Cup final, Madrid’s LaLiga opener has been pushed back. The domestic campaign will now commence on August 22 with an away fixture against Espanyol. Bellingham noted that he has spent his initial days back "running a lot in the heat" and engaging in intensive football drills, characterizing the strenuous workload as "suffering" that he enjoys.

Bellingham Reflects on Experience and Leadership

Entering his fourth year in Spain, Bellingham noted a shift in his personal development, stating he feels more mature and experienced. Although he has only met Mourinho once, he expressed excitement regarding the coach's methods and the existing rapport he feels with the new manager. The midfielder emphasized his desire to remain at the club for many years, calling his role an honor and a privilege.

Historical Context and Recent Performance

The squad is looking to rebound from a year of transition where they failed to secure silverware. While the 2025-26 season resulted in a runner-up finish domestically, the integration of new personnel like Silva and Konaté is intended to close the gap on Barcelona. Bellingham remains the centerpiece of this project, transitioning from his international success in the winter to Mourinho’s tactical setup in Madrid.

As the August 22 start date approaches, the focus at Valdebebas remains on physical conditioning. Bellingham confirmed that despite the difficulty of the training sessions, he is ready to compete and hopes to return the club to winning ways. The upcoming friendly at Schalke will serve as the first practical test for Mourinho’s revamped squad before the trip to Espanyol.