Bellingham talks up ´frightening´ Vinicius as Real Madrid prepare for Atleti challenge

Jude Bellingham insists Real Madrid are a better team when the “frightening” Vinicius Junior is at his best and talked up his qualities ahead of facing Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the Supercopa de Espana.

Los Blancos face off against their capital foes in Jeddah on Thursday, but will do so without their superstar forward Kylian Mbappe, who has not travelled to Saudi Arabia due to a knee injury.

It means that there will be much expected of Brazil ace Vinicius, who has not scored in Madrid colours since a brace in a 3-1 win over Villarreal on October 4.

Vinicius actually has the second-most goal involvements for Madrid this season with 14 (six goals, eight assists), second only to Mbappe’s 34, but is underperforming his xG of 9.4.

He is, though, overperforming in terms of xA (5.5), and ranks third for chance creation behind Mbappe (74) and Arda Guler (66).

Despite his influence on the team, Vinicius has had an at times fractious relationship with head coach Xabi Alonso.

While he has featured 31 times this season (second only to Guler, 32), he has been subbed off on 18 occasions (second again only to Guler, 23).

Touchdown in Jeddah! pic.twitter.com/6HOad781Pw

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) January 6, 2026

But Bellingham was at pains to emphasise his importance to the team when speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, saying: “Vini is under a huge amount of pressure as a player and as a person.

“Sometimes the stuff he does on the pitch is through pure emotion. You have to think it’s a human being doing those things, and that can add to the pressure of a block of form in front of goal.

“I see an electric player who can create something out of nothing. The goals don’t tell the full story. We all know when he’s at his best, we’re a better team and he’s a frightening player.”

It was a message echoed by Alonso, who is confident that Vinicius will continue to be an important contributor to the Madrid cause in the second half of the campaign.

“There’s a lot of season left, a lot of important games,” Alonso said.

“Vini will be important. Tomorrow we need him at his best, connected to the team. When he enjoys himself on the pitch, he opens teams up.”