Real Madrid fans were surprised when Jude Bellingham did not make the starting eleven in the UEFA Champions League clash against Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan on September 30, 2025. Manager Xabi Alonso opted for a tactical reshuffle, choosing to rest the 22-year-old midfielder and give other players a chance to shine.
Bellingham, who had just returned from a shoulder surgery in July, was in the lineup for the Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid a few days earlier but was substituted in the 70th minute. To carefully manage his workload, Alonso decided to bench both Bellingham and Federico Valverde, while Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal were left out of the squad entirely.
According to reports, Real Madrid’s coaching staff wanted to avoid overburdening Bellingham, especially since the team already leads Group D with two victories. Facing a relatively less challenging opponent like Kairat gave Alonso the flexibility to rotate his squad and test depth ahead of tougher fixtures. Eduardo Camavinga stepped into the midfield role, bringing defensive strength and stability to counter Kairat’s counter-attacking style.
Despite not starting, Bellingham remains a key figure for Los Blancos. Since joining Real Madrid, he has featured in over 100 matches, scoring 38 goals and contributing 28 assists, becoming one of the most influential young midfielders in Europe. His minutes are being carefully monitored to ensure long-term fitness and availability for crucial matches later in the season.