A leader in waiting – Real Madrid midfielder commands great respect in the locker room

Jude Bellingham was the player in focus during Real Madrid’s controversial win over Atletico Madrid in Champions League Round of 16 last night.

The Englishman was seen showing his frustration towards his own teammates multiple times, as he was unhappy with the work-ethic provided by some of his own mates.

Bellingham’s attitude might have drawn mixed feelings among the Madrid faithful, but for him and the dressing room, it was a sign of strength from a player who is fast-becoming a key leadership figure within the camp.

Jude Bellingham: A leader-in-waiting

A recent report from The Athletic has highlighted Bellingham’s growing role in the Real Madrid dressing room.

Despite being just 21 years old and in only his second season with the club, Bellingham has already established himself as a player his teammates look up to.

The former Borussia Dortmund starlet demands the highest standards on the pitch, a quality that was evident when he lashed out at Vinicius Jr. during extra time for not tracking back effectively.

Bellingham’s vocal leadership, coupled with his brilliant performances on the pitch make him an indispensable figure in the Real Madrid team. As such, he commands a great deal of respect within the dressing room.

With veterans like Luka Modric, Dani Carvajal and Antonio Rudiger seemingly getting old, Bellingham has emerged as a ‘leader-in-waiting’ for Los Blancos.

When the time comes, the Englishman should be more than ready to become the next great leader at Real Madrid, following the footsteps of many before him, including Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo – vocal leaders who can spur the team up at any given moment