According to a report by Madrid Universal on Thursday, October 29, 2026, Real Madrid have boosted their confidence after defeating Barcelona 2-1 in El Clasico, with several players earning praise for their performances under Jose Mourinho during Sunday's fiercely contested encounter at Camp Nou.

Among those who attracted particular attention was Jude Bellingham, whose impressive display earned admiration from French football legend Thierry Henry, who highlighted the midfielder's influence beyond the statistics.

Although Kylian Mbappe scored twice and claimed the man-of-the-match award, Henry insisted that Bellingham also deserved recognition for his contribution, particularly his ability to retain possession and create opportunities under pressure.

Writing on the Betway Insider blog, Henry praised the England international's performance, describing his contribution as remarkable and stressing his importance to Madrid's overall attacking approach.

“What he did was absolutely incredible,” Henry stated, highlighting Bellingham's composure, strength and intelligence when competing against Barcelona's midfielders throughout the intense rivalry.

The former Arsenal and Barcelona forward also compared Bellingham's display with England's recent appearance in Mexico, praising his ability to protect possession, escape challenges, win fouls, distribute passes and drive forward independently.

Henry's assessment highlighted how Bellingham's influence extended beyond goals and assists, with his movement and physical presence helping Madrid maintain control during crucial moments of the contest.

Henry also praised Madrid's overall organisation, suggesting their performance against Barcelona was the most convincing display he had seen from Mourinho's team this season.

He was particularly impressed by their defensive discipline and counterattacking ability, explaining that Barcelona struggled to break down Madrid's defensive structure and deal with their dangerous transitions throughout the match.

“They were very difficult to beat and were solid on the counter-attack,” Henry remarked, emphasising the tactical qualities that helped Madrid secure an important victory over their rivals.

Looking ahead, Henry believes Mbappe and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal could develop a compelling rivalry that may shape the next generation of Spanish football.

“Yamal and Kylian will have a very long rivalry in La Liga and perhaps they will also compete to win the Ballon d’Or,” Henry predicted, anticipating years of competition between the two stars.

Their emerging rivalry could eventually evoke memories of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's memorable Clasico battles, which captivated supporters worldwide and defined an extraordinary era in football history.