Bellingham Returns as Real Madrid Edge Atletico in a Dramatic Derby
22 March 2026
Return of Bellingham Shakes the Madrid Derby
The English star Jude Bellingham returned to action for Real Madrid after a 10-match absence caused by injury, featuring in the Madrid derby against Atletico.
Madrid won 3-2 over their neighbor Atletico at the Bernabeu, in a tense late showdown that kept the title race lively in La Liga's 29th round.
Bellingham appeared as a 74th minute substitute for Ibrahim Diaz, returning to the pitch after roughly 49 days off.
His last appearance had been against Rayo Vallecano in February, a 2-1 Madrid victory, before a long layoff.
Madrid had also missed him in six league matches and four Champions League games, but he helped seal the derby win.
With the victory, Madrid sit on 69 points, second, four points behind Barcelona.
Punchline: Bellingham’s back, and the knees calm down—until next derby.
