Real Madrid News
Real Madrid open active talks with 23-year-old megastar over new contract – Romano
Real Madrid have started the new season in excellent fashion, barring one small blip against Real Betis in La Liga.
Despite creating a truckload of chances against the Andalusian side, Los Blancos were unable to find a way past Alvaro Valles in Betis’ goal.
Madrid’s bright start to the season has to be attributed to the form of their superstars, including Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.
The latter has picked up from where he left off for England at the 2026 World Cup, scoring goals and influencing games for Jose Mourinho’s side.
Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid have opened active negotiations with Jude over a new contract at the club.
The Spanish club want to remove any room for future Premier League speculation and consider Bellingham a central part of the club’s long-term project.
Madrid want to secure Bellingham’s future
The message from the club is significant.
Bellingham, whose current deal runs until 2029, has already established himself as one of Madrid’s most important players, both technically and in terms of personality.
His ability to influence matches from different midfield roles has made him a cornerstone of the team.
Premier League clubs would naturally monitor any uncertainty around an England international of Bellingham’s quality, and, understandably, Madrid want to remove that possibility.
Mourinho has made Bellingham central
Bellingham’s role has remained prominent under Jose Mourinho.
The England midfielder has been used in advanced areas where his movement, physicality and final-third quality can have maximum impact.
He has also shown that he can influence games creatively, rather than simply through goals. That versatility makes him indispensable for Jose.
Madrid’s long-term squad planning already contains several young players expected to define the next era. Bellingham is clearly near the top of that group.
At just 23, the Englishman is still very young despite being established as a superstar at the highest level.
The best years of his career are still ahead of him. In the coming seasons, the Englishman can continue to develop into one of the best attacking midfielders in the world.
The best part for Madrid is that Mourinho has reinstated Bellingham in the role in which he thrives most, and it remains to be seen how contract talks with him play out.
Real Madrid News
Former Real Madrid manager defends Vinicius following red card vs Villarreal: ‘I don’t see intentionality’
Real Madrid resumed their campaign with a narrow win over Villarreal and three points, but it was yet another controversial affair due to refereeing decisions.
Vinicius Jr thought he had doubled Madrid’s lead against Villarreal, only for the goal to be chalked off and the Brazilian to be sent off in the same breath.
A VAR review showed Vinicius had tugged the hair of Villarreal’s Nathan Saliba in the build-up, prompting referee Isidro Diaz de Mera to void the goal and brandish a straight red.
The decision has split opinion, and one Madrid great has come out firmly in the forward’s corner.
Jorge Valdano on Vinicius’ red
Former real Madrid player and manager Jorge Valdano, speaking to Movistar, saw little malice in the incident.
“It’s an absolutely instinctive gesture. He feels they’re closing him in, he wants to get rid of it, and he does it in the most illegal way he can find,” he said (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
Drawing a distinction with more serious offences, he added: “It would make the difference between what is a spit, for example, and what this is.”
The former World Cup winner was unequivocal in his assessment of the act itself. “I don’t see any intentionality, the dirtyness of the action,” he concluded.
Ominous time for Vinicius
Valdano’s sympathy will do little to console Vinicius Jr., who might be staring at a lengthy suspension after the red card incident.
The Brazilian is already at risk of missing the Clasico on October 25, with the final disciplinary ruling still to come.
The referee’s report logs two separate matters. The first is the hair pull itself; the second is his reaction, described as continued loud protests and an aggressive approach to the official that forced Federico Valverde, Antonio Rudiger and others to restrain him.
Depending on how that conduct is classified, the suspension could stretch to two, three or four games. The one reprieve is that the red card is domestic, leaving Vinicius free for Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Roma.
