01 March 2024 , 06:30
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Spain legend Raul says Jude Bellingham was “born to play for Real Madrid.”
Real Madrid hero Raul, one of the club’s all time great players, paid Bellingham the ultimate compliment by saying he is the best young talent he has seen for years.
England midfielder Bellingham, 20, has taken La Liga by storm after his move to the Bernabeu last summer and has been nominated for the 2024 Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award. Bellingham has already set new records and announced himself on the biggest stage, even surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo and club legend Alfredo di Stefano by scoring 14 goals in his first 15 games for Real Madrid. Ronaldo and di Stefano scored 13.
Raul, who is a Laureus Academy Member which are sport’s own version of the Oscars, said: “Jude Bellingham is one of the players who has impressed me the most in recent years. I've had the opportunity to watch him train and to see the games, of course. But I believe that, as the president of Real Madrid, Florentino, would say, he was born to play for Real Madrid.
“In such a short time, he has been able to connect with the public, with the values that are transmitted in Real Madrid and in sports in general. And then, as young as he is, he has a maturity, a way of expressing himself, a way of connecting with everyone, and I haven't seen a player with those qualities for a long time.
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“Well, I wish him all the best, because he's just starting out, he hasn't even been here in Madrid for six or seven months yet. But I think Real Madrid fans enjoy him and opponents fear him, which is a good sign.
“I think he's a guy with a good head on his shoulders, he has very clear ideas and I think he's going to bring a lot to Real Madrid.
Raul is currently in charge of Real Madrid's Castilla side (Getty Images)
Jude Bellingham has been nominated for the 2024 Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award (Getty)“He will bring a lot to his national team and I think he will do so because he'll be a good example for all those kids who want to be footballers or who want to play sport. Through hard work and a lot of effort, he's fulfilling his dreams.”
Bellingham has been out with an ankle injury but is hoping to resume his training as he nears a first team return.
England boss Gareth Southgate will be keen for Bellingham to return to action as he names his next squad on Thursday March 14. They play Brazil and Belgium in international friendlies as their final two warm-up games.
La Liga chief Javier Tebas has claimed Bellingham is now the best player in the world (Ben McShane/Getty Images)Meanwhile, La Liga chief Javier Tebas has claimed Bellingham is now the best player in the world.
Tebas, talking at the Financial Times Business of Football summit, said: "If you look at his results, the way he plays and, as a fan, then I would say it is a privilege. He is the best player in the world.
"It's very important for the competition to watch Jude Bellingham play. His level of play has gone way above expectation and let's hope it continues that way."
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