Bellingham returns for Real Madrid preseason full of energy, praises Jose Mourinho

While the rest of the squad had already spent days sweating through preseason under the sun, Jude Bellingham still had his mind on the World Cup. He arrived late, sure, but he arrived hungry. The English midfielder was the last Real Madrid player to report back to training following the tournament held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, and he wasted no time making clear where his priorities lie this season.

Bellingham joined the Madrid squad's preseason work on Wednesday, training alongside the players who had been left out of the squad for the Teresa Herrera Trophy, played at Riazor and won by Madrid with a 1-0 victory over Deportivo de La Coruna. No easing in gently: a full session, heat and all.

"I'm running a lot, in the heat, and doing a lot of football work with my teammates. It's tough, but it's good to enjoy. I really like this kind of suffering," the Englishman said in an interview with the club's official media.

But if there's one name that keeps coming up in his comments, it's Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese coach, who has crossed paths with Bellingham before, has the player openly excited.

I feel like I already have a relationship with him, and it's a dream for me to work with a coach like Mourinho. I only had one chance to see him, but I'm really excited to see what he's likeJude Bellingham

Eyes on the new season

He holds good memories from the World Cup, but his mind is already on Real Madrid. "The World Cup was a really good experience for me and my England teammates, but I'm ready to come back and compete with my Real Madrid teammates. Hopefully we can win," he said.

The midfielder also touched on his own growth. He's not the same kid who joined the club a couple of seasons ago, and he admits it without hesitation: "I'm a bit more of a man now and I have more experience. I have a good feeling for this season with the new signings and the coach."

That combination, a refreshed squad, a new man on the bench, and a Bellingham who says he feels more mature, points to a season opener with high expectations at the Santiago Bernabeu. Now it's time to see it play out on the field.