Jude Bellingham named who he thinks is Real Madrid’s ‘most talented’ player after his side’s Champions League play-off victory against Manchester City.
Bellingham, 21, started during Madrid’s 3-1 (6-3 on aggregate) win over Pep Guardiola’s side to send them through to the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday.
The England international is part of a star-studded Los Blancos side alongside the likes of Vini Jr and Kylian Mbappé, but who does he consider to be the most talented out of his teammates?
Well, Bellingham gave a surprising answer when the question was put to him after Madrid’s match on Wednesday.
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“Rodrygo, so underrated, you know?” Bellingham said when speaking to CBS Sports Golazo.
“For me, he’s probably the most talented and gifted player in the squad.
“I think the things he can do with the football… We’ll be messing around, and he’ll flick the ball up somehow, and you’re like: 'How’d he do that?' I’m trying to do that.
"I’m twisting my ankles and everything like that. It’s a pleasure to play with both of them.
“You put them in positions where they can affect the games, and they will win it for you.
“I think Rodrygo, another thing to mention, is that he’s the one who sacrifices the most, really. It’s clear that his favourite position is on the left. It’s important to note that he does a lot for the team defensively on the right side, which isn’t his favourite.
“But, he never complains, he just gets on with it and that’s the way we have to continue.”
The Brazilian is a key man in Ancelotti’s side and has registered 12 goals and nine assists in 34 appearances for the 15-time European champions this term.
He proved his worth yesterday evening and had a hand in Madrid and Mbappé’s second goal of the match, providing the assist before the Frenchman made no mistake with a smart finish after bamboozling City defender Josko Gvardiola.
And it's not just Bellingham who has been impressed by Rodrgyo, 24.
Ancelotti, 65, described him as a "complete player" in a press conference last month.
"He is a complete player and, although we are aware that he prefers to play on the left, someone, for the good of the team, has to make sacrifices," the Italian explained. "And Rodrygo has always done so. He has always put the good of the team first.
“Football enjoys Rodrygo’s quality. For the good of the team, I have to clarify the positions. It hasn’t gone badly, so far. And it won’t in the future.”
Topics: Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham, Champions League, Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappe, Pep Guardiola
Luke Davies