Jamie Carragher snubbed Jude Bellingham for Declan Rice when naming his Champions League team of the season.
Bellingham has propelled himself to superstar status since securing a £115million move from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid.
The midfielder has netted an incredible 17 goals in his 22 appearances for Los Blancos in all competitions, and seen his value skyrocket.
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According to the CIES Football Observatory model, which predicts transfer fees by analysing 6,000 previous deals, Bellingham is the most valuable player in world football, worth some £231million in the current market.
Despite such statistics, Liverpool legend Carragher has taken more to Bellingham’s England colleague Rice.
Bellingham joined the CBS panel to oversee Carragher and Micah Richards pick their respective Champions League teams of the season.
And when asked to make his first midfield selection, Carragher said, with a wry smile: “For me, this is the easiest choice I’ve had to make.
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“I am going to pick a young superstar from England who has lit the Champions League alight this season.
“For me, it has to be only one man. I’m going to choose… Declan Rice.”
Bellingham and the CBS panel burst into laughter before the Real Madrid superstar added: “I’m liking the look of Micah’s team more and more.”
Richards, who was picking his team alongside former Arsenal star and Lioness Alex Scott, subsequently selected Bellingham as the first midfield choice.
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In response, the 20-year-old joked: “I’m liking that team more and more now.”
Rice has been among Arsenal’s stand-out players since securing a £105million move from West Ham to the Emirates this summer.
The 24-year-old will operate alongside Bellingham in England’s midfield this summer at the European Championships in Germany, as the Three Lions attempt to claim their first major honour since the 1966 World Cup.
Topics: Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards, Alex Scott
Chris Byfield