Jude Bellingham offered the coldest of responses when asked if he is bidding to emulate Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid.
Bellingham, 21, has enjoyed a meteoric rise ever since his move to Bernabeu in 2023, winning La Liga and the UEFA Champions League in his first season.
Despite suffering summer heartbreak with England at Euro 2024, the former Birmingham City man has risen to become one of the first names on Carlo Ancelotti's team sheet.
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With new teammates Endrick and Kylian Mbappe beginning to settle in, comparisons with Real Madrid greats of yesteryear have begun to swoop in.
The Three Lions international was recently asked whether he sees himself as the next Zidane to have arrived at the Bernabeu.
“I’m not coming here to be Zidane, he was amazing," responded the 21-year-old star.
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"I’m trying to be Jude Bellingham who continues the number 5 legacy.”
It is that kind of brash confidence that has helped Bellingham develop such a quick connection with supporters in Spain.
The former Borussia Dortmund man netted 23 goals and registered 13 assists during his debut season in Madrid.
However, Bellingham has featured just once for Los Blancos so far this season as he continues to struggle with a leg injury.
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But he remains keen to make an impact upon his return, with hopes that even more silverware can be achieved this season.
“I enjoy being a Real Madrid player, through the good times and the bad times, when you have to pick yourself up and try again," he told UEFA.
"Everything to do with playing at the highest level at such a big club is incredible for me.
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"You have to enjoy the feeling of being in the trenches and know that it's not a good time but take responsibility and help the team out of those bad moments.
"I've managed to do that and the team has managed to do it with other players stepping up and that's why we've done so well.
"Those games when it looked like they were going to be draws or defeats and someone has managed to turn things around. It's a great feeling.”
Topics: Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane
Matthew Holt