Declan Rice’s ‘surprising’ heroics will have gnawed away at Jude Bellingham – and Real Madrid need the England star at boiling point to overturn Arsenal deficit, writes ISAAN KHAN

Nonchalantly ambling into the Real Madrid Sports City press conference room in adidas sliders, Jude Bellingham had arrived.

Seven rows of chairs crammed together for an expectant international press pack spanning Spain, the UK — and further afield, such as Brazil — for a 21-year-old who has taken Madrid by storm.

The England man’s star power, both on and off the pitch, commands this attention. He scored in his first four La Liga matches upon signing from Borussia Dortmund in June 2023 for £88.5million and has, largely, stayed in the ascendency.

Twenty-three goals and 13 assists in 43 matches across all competitions last season helped Real Madrid to five trophies, including both the La Liga and Champions League, and propelled Bellingham to a series of endorsement deals, such as Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS clothing brand.

It’s this combination of on-field exploits and off-field celebrity which transcends the interest of Bellingham beyond the usual realms of a footballer — as seen in this room on Tuesday, filled with journalists all eager to ask a mere single question.

This season has not been without its hiccups. After matchday 11, having missed four games due to a muscle injury, the midfielder had failed to score a single La Liga goal, massively contrasting to the 10 goals in his first 11 league matches last season.

The England international is hoping to overturn a 3-0 deficit against Arsenal on Wednesday

After a blockbuster summer arrival he netted 23 goals and 13 assists in 43 matches in a stunning debut campaign

He then went on an impressive run of six goals and three assists in six consecutive league matches, before soon becoming embroiled in controversy after saying ‘f*** off’ towards the referee in a 1-1 draw with Osasuna in February. A two-match ban followed.

His action was a rare misstep from a man who is impeccable in front of the camera in both demeanour and sound bites. But, more pertinently to this second-leg tie in which Real Madrid are seeking to overturn a 3-0 deficit to Arsenal, it was Declan Rice’s man of the match display which will have gnawed away at him.

His England team-mate struck two world-class free-kicks, on top of a solid all-round display, which saw the Arsenal midfielder steal the show.

He couldn’t help but show a toothy grin when a question referenced Rice’s golden strikes.

‘I think the free-kicks were surprising,’ he smirked.

‘I knew Dec could take set-pieces really well, corners and stuff but I had never seen him do that with the free-kicks.

‘Fair play to him, that was probably the only thing though (that was surprising), we knew they were a really good team, we knew they were a really good manager, they are going to be organised.’

He will be champing at the bit for a different narrative at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, hoping his performance shines in the battle between two of England’s finest midfield talents.

England team-mate Declan Rice’s star display in the first leg will have gnawed at Bellingham

Bellingham has needed to adapt this season after the arrival of Kylian Mbappe (second left)

In fairness, this season has required adaptation by Bellingham to the detriment of his attacking opportunities. The marquee signing of Kylian Mbappe for £85.6million last summer has seen Bellingham occupy a deeper role than the previous campaign, in which he had often operated as a No 10.

It is he who is often tasked with the so-called dirty work of tracking back on the left of a midfield four while the likes of Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodyrgo maraud forward with free will.

The matter has, unsurprisingly, occasionally reared its head. Take extra-time in Real Madrid’s second leg against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last-16 second leg at the Metropolitano Stadium last month. Bellingham teared back to his own half at full pelt to slide in and dispossess Marcos Llorente as Atletico counter-attacked.

After, he twice furiously thumped the turf before raging at Vinicius Jr for being bypassed too easily in the build-up to the action.

Even during the 3-0 loss at the Emirates last Tuesday, he was seen shaking his head after a chat with Carlo Ancelotti and Eduardo Camavinga on the touchline.

On a question about his tussles with Vinicius Jr on the field, he couldn’t hide another smile, before replying: ‘There has to be that level of honesty and ruthlessness with each other.

‘You guys highlight that more than anything. For every one of those you see there are probably 20 of the positive interactions. As long as the team respect each other enough to have those honest conversations, that is really important.’

It reflects a personality which, despite his tender age, has Bellingham as a formative leader in this Los Blancos team.

Bellingham admitted his tussles with team-mate Vinicius highlight the ‘honesty’ in their relationship on the field

Bellingham will need to be at his exquisite best if Real Madrid are to turn things around

Personas and character embody this club. Even walking up the two flights of stairs to the press conference room, each wall features their legends of yesteryear.

Raul has the word ‘orgullo’ (pride) on his picture; one of the famous Galacticos side featuring Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo has ‘historia’ (history).

On a frame displaying all the trophies won since Real Madrid’s formation in 1902, their record 36 La Liga titles is not at the top; those 15 Champions League trophies rank highest. It’s a competition they have an obsession with, and are well-versed in winning.

If they are to perform a ‘remontada’, Bellingham will need to be at his best.