Jude Bellingham has earned widespread praise for his fighting spirit and standout performance in Real Madrid’s dramatic 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final. Despite being sent off after full-time amid chaotic scenes that also saw Antonio Rudiger and Lucas Vazquez red-carded, Bellingham’s display was widely applauded.
Spanish outlet Defensa Central awarded him a 9/10, calling him “one of Real Madrid’s most active players,” highlighting his creative passing, defensive work, and leadership during a grueling match. Sport gave him a 7/10, noting his intelligence and composure even during Real Madrid’s toughest moments. La Vanguardia rated him 6/10, describing him as a “tireless fighter” who drove Madrid’s play but lacked accuracy in the final third.
Marca praised his growing influence as the game progressed, giving him a 7 for the first half, 8 for the second half, and 8 overall, declaring him “the team’s best player” in extra time.
Fans on social media were equally vocal. @TheMadridZone shared Bellingham’s impressive stats, including 74 touches, 3 key passes, and 4 successful dribbles, calling his performance “unbelievable despite the loss.” Others, like @SamiRMCF and @Dansnewgen, boldly stated that Bellingham outshone Barcelona’s Pedri and praised him as the best midfielder in the world.
Real Madrid will look to bounce back quickly as they face Celta Vigo on Sunday, before another high-stakes clash with Barcelona in La Liga on May 11, with just four points separating the two rivals and five matches left to play.
