Mourinho frees Bellingham to run riot for Real

Jude Bellingham looks like a different player under Jose Mourinho.

The England midfielder delivered another commanding performance as Real Madrid swept aside Malaga 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, scoring a stunning opener and helping the hosts maintain their perfect start to the La Liga season.

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More importantly, Bellingham appears to have rediscovered the freedom that made him one of the world's most exciting midfielders during his first season in Madrid.

The 23-year-old picked up the ball in midfield for his 19th-minute opener before embarking on a devastating run through the Malaga defence. He burst beyond one defender, cut diagonally across the box and slipped the ball through goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero's legs and into the far corner.

It was the sort of goal that brought the old "Hey Jude" soundtrack back to the Bernabeu.

Bellingham was involved again seven minutes later, arriving in the box to meet a cross with a header. Malaga defender C. Puga cleared the effort off the line, only for the ball to ricochet off Herrero and into the net.

Kylian Mbappe then made it 3-0 before half-time, with Arda Guler completing the rout in stoppage time.

But Bellingham was the central figure throughout.

He repeatedly surged forward from midfield, helped Madrid link their defence and attack and even struck the post with a left-footed effort after the break. He finished with 36 completed passes from 38 attempts and remained a threat even when Madrid were out of possession.

The performance earned him a standing ovation when he was replaced late on.

It also underlined the difference in his role under Mourinho.

Bellingham has spoken openly about feeling more liberated in the new system, with the midfielder no longer being asked to spend long periods covering defensive areas.

"I feel more free right now," Bellingham said.

"I have more freedom to move, to go up and down the pitch, depending on what we need. I'm having a lot of fun, I'm really enjoying my football, and that's why I'm performing well."

I have more freedom to move, to go up and down the pitch, depending on what we need. I'm having a lot of fun

Jude Bellingham

That freedom is already producing results.

Bellingham has scored twice and provided two assists in Madrid's opening three league matches, while Real have won all three and scored 10 goals.

Mourinho, meanwhile, appears determined not to let his star midfielder's defensive responsibilities swallow up the attacking qualities that make him so dangerous.

The Portuguese coach revealed that he has already spoken directly to Bellingham about his role.

"Bellingham is very demanding of himself and with others," Mourinho said. "This is something I like very much.

"I agreed with him that I didn't want to see Jude defending almost like a second left-back, which I've seen him do many times."

Mourinho's solution has been to reorganise Madrid around Bellingham's strengths.

Rather than dropping deep and drifting towards the left to help the defence, the midfielder has been given greater licence to move through the centre and attack spaces further forward.

The result was visible against Malaga.

Bellingham was constantly arriving from the second line, giving Madrid another attacking outlet beyond Mbappe and Vinicius Junior while still contributing defensively when required.

"He knows perfectly what to do and feels very comfortable," Mourinho said.

The Madrid boss also believes Bellingham deserves to be considered among the leading contenders for the Ballon d'Or.

"Jude, as a midfielder, is absolutely incredible," he said.

After an injury-hit 2025-26 campaign, the England international looks physically sharper and tactically liberated. And with Mourinho giving him the freedom to roam, "Hey Jude" is beginning to sound familiar around the Bernabeu again.