Jude Bellingham has admitted that working with Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid is a “dream”, with the England midfielder eager to begin a new chapter under the Portuguese coach.
Bellingham is entering his fourth season at the Spanish giants and arrives at the new campaign with renewed ambition after a difficult trophyless period for the club.
The midfielder enjoyed a sensational first season in Madrid, helping the club win both LaLiga and the Champions League.
However, the two seasons that followed produced fewer major honours, increasing the pressure around the team.
Now, with Mourinho back in the dugout for a second spell, Bellingham believes there is plenty to be excited about.
“I feel like I already have a relationship with [Mourinho],” Bellingham told Real Madrid TV on Thursday.
“It’s a dream for me to work with a coach like Mourinho. I’ve only had one chance to see him, but I’m very excited to see what he’s like.”
The 23-year-old midfielder returned to Real Madrid training later than his teammates after representing England at the World Cup.
Despite having limited time to prepare for the new season, Bellingham says he is embracing the intensity of preseason and believes the hard work will put him in the right condition for the campaign ahead.
“[I’ve been] running a lot in the heat, playing a lot of football with my teammates,” he said.
“It’s tough, but it’s good as well, to enjoy it, this suffering! I really like this kind of hard work.”
That mentality could prove important as Real Madrid attempt to close the gap on Barcelona in Spain and make another serious push for European success.
Madrid finished second in LaLiga last season, eight points behind Barcelona, while their Champions League campaign ended in the quarter-finals against Bayern Munich.
Mourinho’s return has generated significant interest, with the Portuguese coach expected to bring a demanding approach and a strong winning mentality to the Madrid dressing room.
For Bellingham, the opportunity to work with a manager of Mourinho’s reputation is one he is embracing rather than fearing.
The England international also believes his own development has placed him in a stronger position to take on greater responsibility within the squad.
“I’m a bit more mature now, I have more experience,” Bellingham said, when asked about his role in the squad.
“I have a good feeling about this season with the new signings and the coach, and let’s see … It’s an honour and a privilege for me to play for this club. I hope it will be for many more years.”
The Spanish giants have also been active in the transfer market, adding significant experience and quality to their squad.
The arrival of players such as Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries has added another layer of intrigue to Mourinho’s new-look Madrid side.
Bellingham believes the new additions can help push the team forward as they look to challenge for major honours again.
The midfielder’s own confidence is also high after his impressive World Cup campaign with England, where he scored seven goals as the Three Lions reached the semi-finals.
“The World Cup was a great experience for me and my England teammates,” Bellingham said, “But I’m ready to come back and compete. Hopefully, we can win.”
Real Madrid’s LaLiga campaign is scheduled to begin away against Espanyol on August 22, while the club will face Schalke in a friendly before then.
For Bellingham, the immediate priority is clear: get fit, adapt to Mourinho’s methods and help Madrid return to the top.
The midfielder already understands the size of the challenge.
But with a new manager, fresh signings and a renewed hunger inside the dressing room, he sees plenty of reasons to believe this season can be different.
And if Bellingham’s excitement is anything to go by, the Mourinho era at Madrid already has one influential player fully bought into the project.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
