Jude Bellingham: England star's Real Madrid impact greater than Ronaldo or Zinedine Zidane, says Steve McManaman
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Published 30/04/2024 at 19:47 GMT
Former Real Madrid winger Steve McManaman sang Jude Bellingham's praises ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich, saying "no one has had an impact like he has" in the star-studded Spanish dressing room. TNT Sports expert Owen Hargreaves explained how Harry Kane has "blown everyone away" in Germany since joining Bayern Munich before the pair went head-to-head.
Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid on the ball whilst under pressure from Eric Dier of Bayern Munich during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between FC Bayern München and Real Madrid at Allianz Arena on April 30, 2024 in Munich, Germany.
Image credit: Getty Images
Steve McManaman believes “no one has had an impact like Jude Bellingham” in the Real Madrid dressing room before, while Owen Hargreaves explained how Harry Kane has “blown everyone away” in Germany.
The two England superstars go head-to-head in the UEFA Champions League semi-final on Tuesday night when Bellingham’s Real face Kane’s Bayern Munich, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Bellingham has had an outstanding debut season in the Spanish capital, scoring 21 goals in all competitions to keep them on course for a La Liga and Champions League double.
TNT Sports expert and former Madrid winger McManaman explained how Bellingham’s impact off the field has been as impactful as on it – and even greater than some legends of the game.
“Luis Figo came into that dressing room, R9 [Ronaldo] the Fenomeno came into the dressing room, Zizou [Zinedine Zidane] came into the dressing room,” McManaman said.
“No one has had an impact like he [Bellingham] has. And he has done it as a 19/20 year old. It’s just another level.”
Hargreaves agreed that Bellingham’s maturity in the famous white shirt of Real, wearing Zidane’s former No. 5 shirt, has been impressive.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player do that. To take on Zidane’s No. 5 shirt, one of the most iconic players ever at Real Madrid,” Hargreaves said.
“The thing about Jude that makes him so unique is that the talent is undeniably special, but his body language, the way he carries himself, the way he walks onto the pitch, walks into a dressing room, you would never see a 19/20-year-old do that.
“But the way he does it is so authentic that the guys can tell when he plays the way he does that this guy is really special.”
McManaman also explained that the instant success of Bellingham in Madrid came as something of a surprise in a season where he didn’t expected them to compete as fiercely as they have.
“His form throughout the year has been exceptional,” said McManaman.
“He joined Real Madrid as a big money signing at the age of 19. This was a transitional year for Real Madrid because Karim Benzema went (as well as) Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio.
“Jude came in as the number one signing. There were a couple of other signings on the periphery, but he was the one.
“The fact that he’s taken to this role as he has done, scoring the goals, scoring in two El Clasicos, winning the Supercopa in Saudi Arabia, they are coasting to the league and now in the semi-finals of the Champions League, all on his shoulders. What an absolute star.”
Kane has 'blown everyone away' - Hargreaves
Bellingham’s England team-mate, Three Lions skipper Kane, lined up against him at the Allianz Arena.
Kane, like Bellingham, has enjoyed a superb debut campaign at his new club, scoring 42 goals in 42 games since joining from Tottenham Hotspur last summer.
That wasn’t enough for Bayern to retain the Bundesliga title, which they ceded to Bayer Leverkusen, but the German giants are still in the running for European glory.
“Everybody has been super impressed by Harry and his goals, but also what a gentleman he is. What a team player he is, how humble he is. He’s blown everyone away,” former Bayern midfielder Hargreaves said.
“When you combine Harry with the firepower of [Serge] Gnabry, [Kingsley] Coman, [Jamal] Musiala, Thomas Muller, he was always going to score goals.
“He came here to win trophies, get a different experience, and he could win the biggest in the Champions League, could even take England to win the Euros.”
For McManaman, it was little surprise to see the former one-club man flourish after leaving north London.
“I thought if he stayed fit, he would score 40+ goals, because [Robert] Lewandowski has done it and I think he’s on that level, easily,” said McManaman.
“I always knew his talent is undeniable, but if he stayed fit there would be no problem whatsoever getting the goals he has done.”
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