Real Madrid pulled off a transfer masterclass with the signing of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, with the 20-year-old enjoying an outstanding campaign.
The midfielder has played in an advanced role, and has exploded in front of goal, with 21 strikes in all competitions.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about Bellingham’s debut campaign is his ability to deliver in big moments, with countless crucial goals and top performances in big games.
Real Madrid look set to reclaim the title as a result of his performances, and they have also reached the Champions League semi-finals in what could become an incredible season of success.
Bellingham’s performances and stats have drawn comparisons with some Real Madrid legends, and his impact at such a young age has drawn comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Jude Bellingham Real Madrid impact compared to Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo is the greatest player in the history of Real Madrid, and from the moment he arrived for a then-record fee from Manchester United, he lit up the pitch at the Santiago Bernabeu.
In the 2009-10 season, Ronaldo scored 33 times and provided 10 assists in 35 games across all competitions, mostly operating as a centre-forward, but also featuring on both wings.
The Portuguese superstar arrived at Real Madrid alongside the likes of Karim Benzema and Kaka, and joined an attack already containing a young Gonzalo Higuain and an ageing Raul under Manuel Pellegrini.
By comparison, Bellingham has scored 21 and assisted 10 goals under Carlo Ancelotti, and has had to fill the void left by Karim Benzema’s departure in the summer.
Real Madrid fell to two goalless defeats to Barcelona in El Clasico in Ronaldo’s first season. Bellingham scored the winning goal in both victories over Xavi’s side this season, but given the difference in quality between the two Barcelona sides the players faced, this may be an unfair comparison.
Real Madrid went trophyless in Cristiano Ronaldo’s first season
Ronaldo did have the better individual campaign of the pair when it comes to output in front of goal, and he would go on to become arguably the greatest goalscorer ever.
However, Bellingham is still technically a midfielder, and in terms of trophy success in their first seasons, he looks set to beat Ronaldo’s maiden campaign.
Real Madrid finished second, three points behind Barcelona in 2010 despite Ronaldo’s efforts, and they were also eliminated from the Champions League in the round of 16 by Olympique Lyonnais, and also suffered a shock 4-0 defeat to third division side Alcorcon in the Copa Del Rey round of 32, a tie in which Ronaldo did not feature.
Bellingham looks set to win La Liga, and Real Madrid reached the round of 16 in the Copa Del Rey, whilst they are also set to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals, and on a team level, Bellingham is set to eclipse Ronaldo’s first season in Spain.