Jude Bellingham’s adaptation to Real Madrid has been seamless

If anyone doubted the signing of Bellingham due to potential problems of adaptation that have not always been easy to overcome for British footballers, Jude Bellingham has definitively cleared up any doubt. The Englishman has adapted perfectly to life in Spain and to his teammates.

The confidence in the adaptation of Bellingham is rightly based on goals (he’s already on four and is the top scorer in the League) but also the friendships forged with his teammates on and off the field in such a short time.

One of the keys to this Madrid is the group, and Ancelotti has highlighted this on several occasions, saying “it’s the healthiest dressing room I’ve ever had” before winning the European Super Cup against Eintracht (2-0) in 2022. And Bellingham has fit into the squad with no problems at all.

The latest example of just how in touch he is with his new teammates is that fact that he travelled to Saint Tropez with Rodrygo, Camavinga, Tchouameni and Mendy the past weekend.

Bellingham’s relationship with Brahim is blossoming

Carletto gave the squad two days off after the victory in Vigo on Friday thanks to a goal from the number 5, and the five players headed to France to enjoy the brief holiday. There, the stars have spent their time in the luxurious ‘Verde Beach Club’ on the French Côte d’Azur.

Bellingham, upon his arrival at Madrid, went for dinner with Arda Güler, Fran García and Brahim, a meeting organised by Juni Calafat at the De María restaurant in Madrid.

Brahim, the man from Málaga, has bee especially important in this quick adaptation for Bellingham, a player with whom he has established a wonderful relationship thanks to his past in Manchester and his subsequent ability to speak English to a high level.

Other British players have struggled to adapt to Spain

Cases of previous Brits abroad, such as Laurie Cunningham, Jonathan Woodgate, Michael Owen or Gareth Bale whose adaptations were not complete due to the language barrier, are not being replicated by Jude.

At school he dabbled with Spanish and little by little he is improving through classes, although the conversation in Saint Tropez has been something of a Tower of Babel exercise, a unique melting pot of French, Spanish and English, as explained by the players to AS in a light-hearted way.

Of course, this has not prevented the young players from strengthening their bond. Belli, as they call the Englishman in the dressing room, made it clear to see it on Instagram: the caption “Friends”, accompanied a publication on his social media channel where the midfielder appeared alongside both Camavinga and Tchouaméni.

The fact of having chosen to leave England at the age of 17 to grow up in Germany (Borussia Dortmund) shows what we already saw from the extrovert during preseason. He does not shy away from public appearances, where he exudes charisma: in Houston he spoke to the media in the mixed zone and after his double against Almería he did so again.

Bellingham has landed on his feet at Madrid - and not just because of the football.