Mentioning Jude Bellingham still carries weight, but the influence he once had at Real Madrid has faded dramatically during the stretch that mattered most in the 2025-26 season. And with the World Cup approaching fast, he still looks nothing like the unstoppable force who took Spain by storm when he first arrived.

His performances for both Real Madrid and England have been underwhelming. Since the start of 2026, Bellingham has managed just two goals and one assist for Madrid. For England, he has made only one start in the last 11-and-a-half months. Suddenly, one of soccer’s biggest stars is facing serious questions about his standing.

The physical issue that once seemed to explain his dip in form is no longer hanging over him. But even without that obstacle, the numbers have not improved. Far from it.

Falling behind Madrid’s biggest stars

Bellingham’s struggles become even clearer when compared with Real Madrid’s other attacking superstars, especially in LaLiga.

Kylian Mbappé’s form has cooled after a blistering start to his near-certain Pichichi-winning campaign, something Álvaro Arbeloa recently alluded to after the Frenchman publicly complained about being benched against Oviedo.

“Maybe he scored more goals in the first half of the season than the second,” Arbeloa said in response.

Vinícius Júnior has also endured a turbulent year, including a lengthy scoring drought between October and January. But Bellingham’s drop-off has arguably been even more concerning. He has scored only five league goals in 37 appearances.

Even compared to himself, the numbers are troubling.

Last season, which was also viewed as a disappointment by his own lofty standards, Bellingham still scored nine LaLiga goals. That is four more than he has this year. And it is nowhere near the remarkable 19-goal debut season he produced after arriving in Madrid like a runaway freight train.

England future suddenly uncertain

Bellingham’s decline has created another problem: his place with England no longer feels untouchable.

His relationship with Thomas Tuchel has reportedly been tense at times, much like his private disagreements with Xabi Alonso earlier this season at Madrid. By October, there were even doubts over whether he would be included for England’s international games against Wales and Latvia.

Between injuries and ongoing issues with the coaching staff, the Madrid midfielder has played just 128 minutes for the Three Lions over the last calendar year. That is hardly encouraging for a player who once looked guaranteed to start every major game for his country.

And earning a starting spot at the World Cup will not come easy.

A tough World Cup opener awaits

England face one of the toughest opening schedules among the tournament favorites. Their World Cup campaign begins June 17 against Luka Modric’s Croatia, widely viewed as the biggest threat in Group L. Ghana and Panama round out the group.

How Bellingham performs, and even what condition he is in by that point, has become one of the biggest questions hanging over the nation that invented the sport.

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