Bellingham fuels Real Madrid's bid to topple Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final

Build-up in Saudi Arabia ahead of the final

Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid's rising star, addressed the club's fans in Saudi Arabia ahead of the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona, which is being broadcast exclusively on the Eight app. Madrid had to dig deep in the semifinal against Atletico Madrid, edging through 2-1 to reach the decider.

Recounting memories from the last Clasico at the Bernabéu on 26 October, when Madrid won 2-1 with a goal from Bellingham, he told Real Madrid's official X account that 'we had a good game plan and a strong mentality'. He added that if they can replicate that mental approach, they expect to deliver another solid performance.

For the No. 5 shirt, the key is finding the right mental state with a touch of luck; the rest will follow automatically, he suggested. He also noted that the squad has recovered well from last Thursday's derby, and that everyone is fit and excited for what promises to be a big clash.

Regarding pre-final rituals, Bellingham said he doesn't have any special routine beyond a simple plan: a massage session and some light stretching. To the Saudi fans, he reserved a message of gratitude, saying their support was crucial when things got tight in the late stages of the semifinal, and he hoped the stadium would wear white again for the final.

Final thoughts and context

Barcelona arrived with a 5-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in the cup's semi, while Madrid reached the final after a hard-fought 2-1 victory. The match, staged in Saudi Arabia, adds a fresh twist to the famous rivalry between Spain's two giants. Madrid's form under Bellingham will be watched closely as both teams chase the trophy and momentum for the run-in.

Madrid's captain and Bellingham's influence may set the tone for the final, with a tense, closely contested encounter on the cards. And yes, the stakes are high, but the outfits will be white vs red—until someone changes the channel.

Punchlines: If this final were a movie, Madrid would buy the sequel rights at the opening scene. And if passion were a currency, Bellingham would be minting a few more goals before halftime.