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In a humiliating defeat that sent shockwaves through Spanish football, Real Madrid's midfield sensation Jude Bellingham found himself at the center of intense criticism following Barcelona's dominant 5-2 victory in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia.
Despite an early lead through Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid's midfield collapsed under Barcelona's relentless pressure. The Catalans unleashed an attacking masterclass, with teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal equalizing before Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha (twice), and Alejandro Balde completed the rout. Rodrygo's free-kick proved merely consolatory for Los Blancos.
The spotlight, however, fell squarely on Bellingham's ineffective performance, with social media critics ruthlessly dissecting his game. One particularly scathing assessment stated: "Jude Bellingham has mastered the art of looking busy on a football pitch. The casuals love it, the analytics guys love it, and I see through it. He is not elite in any sense of the word, closer to a Scott McTominay than a Pedri or a Musiala. A 6/10 on his best day. Overrated."
The criticism intensified as more observers weighed in, with one fan questioning: "How on Earth can someone with a functioning brain think Bellingham is even close to Pedri." Another critic sarcastically noted: "Bellingham tucked his shirt in to look busy. We see you, bro." The harshest critique came when one viewer labeled him a "false footballer" after being "hooked in a Clasico" with "absolutely zero impact in yet another big game."
For Barcelona, the victory marks a triumphant return to form after a challenging December period that saw them slip to third in La Liga. The team has started 2024 with remarkable offensive efficiency, netting 11 goals in their opening three matches. Yamal's return from injury and subsequent goal-scoring performance signals additional firepower for the Catalans.
Barcelona's next challenge comes Wednesday in the Copa del Rey round of 16 against Real Betis. Based on their commanding Super Cup performance, the Blaugrana appear primed for success across multiple competitions.
