Jude Bellingham Faces Challenges at Real Madrid Amid Team Struggles and Ballon d’Or Voting

Real Madrid‘s star midfielder Jude Bellingham is navigating a challenging period with the team, as highlighted by recent comments from head coach Carlo Ancelotti. Despite the high expectations following his transfer, Bellingham, along with other key players like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr., has been struggling to find his form.

In a recent press conference, Ancelotti addressed the team’s overall performance, particularly after a disappointing 3-1 defeat against AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League. Ancelotti emphasized that the entire team, including Bellingham, Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr., is going through a tough time and needs to find a way to bring out their best version. He noted that Bellingham has been making forward runs into the box, but the team’s overall cohesion and defensive vulnerabilities remain significant issues.

Additionally, Bellingham’s individual performance was recently evaluated in the context of the 2024 Ballon d'Or voting. He finished third in the standings, 253 points behind the winner, Rodri of Manchester City, and 212 points behind second-placed Vinicius Jr. of Real Madrid. This voting outcome was part of a ceremony that Real Madrid boycotted due to perceived snubs, particularly the exclusion of Vinicius Jr. from the top spot.

Ancelotti’s tactical adjustments, including the positioning of Mbappe as a central striker to accommodate Vinicius Jr. on the left wing, have also impacted Bellingham’s role and effectiveness on the field. Despite these challenges, Ancelotti remains confident that the team will bounce back and compete for all titles, including the Intercontinental Cup in December and the ongoing La Liga and Champions League campaigns).