Mbappé and Bellingham have contributed 14 of Madrid’s goals between them. Mbappé has been France’s attacking reference point, while Bellingham’s return to advanced, box-crashing positions has echoed the role that made him such a decisive figure for Madrid previously.
Erling Haaland described England and Madrid as “lucky” to have Bellingham. It is an eye-catching endorsement, but it also captures Mourinho’s challenge: managing exceptional individual form without allowing the team to become a collection of separate stars.
Vinícius Jr has added four goals for Brazil, while Arda Güler has scored once for Türkiye. The breadth of Madrid’s contribution gives Mourinho more than a headline pairing to work with.
Tournament football can liberate players. Mbappé’s performances for France have carried a freer tone, even though his Madrid numbers were already exceptional, with 42 goals in 44 games during 2025-26.
At club level, opponents have more time to study patterns, while fatigue, dressing-room morale and the demands of a long domestic campaign expose weaknesses that knockout football can conceal. Mourinho must therefore decide whether to build around Mbappé’s preferred spaces, preserve Vinícius’ influence and push Bellingham forward-or find a structure that gives all three freedom without weakening Madrid’s balance.
The record is a powerful starting point, not a finished tactical plan. Mbappé is expected to face Spain on Tuesday, with more knockout football still to come. His next performance, and Bellingham’s role in England’s remaining matches, could shape Mourinho’s first major decisions before Madrid’s new season begins.