Real Madrid’s young star Jude Bellingham has been on fire this season, scoring goals for fun and breaking records along the way. The 20-year-old midfielder netted his 14th goal in 15 games for the Spanish giants in their 3-0 victory over Cadiz on Saturday.
Bellingham’s strike in the 74th minute was not only a beauty, but also a historic one. He became the first player ever to score more than 13 goals in his first 15 appearances for Real Madrid, surpassing the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo, who joined Real Madrid from Manchester United for a then world-record fee of £80m in 2009, had a brilliant start to his career at the Bernabeu, scoring 13 goals in his first 15 games in all competitions. However, he could not match the feat of two former Real Madrid icons, Alfredo Di Stefano and Pruden, who also scored 13 goals in their first 15 games in 1953 and 1943 respectively.
Bellingham, who moved to Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund for £65m in the summer, has now gone one better than Ronaldo, Di Stefano and Pruden, and has established himself as one of the best players in the world. He has scored in every competition he has played in this season, including the Champions League, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.
Bellingham’s incredible form has helped Real Madrid climb to the top of the La Liga table, four points clear of second-placed Barcelona. He has also earned rave reviews from his teammates, his manager Carlo Ancelotti and the fans, who have nicknamed him “The Phenomenon”.