Jude Bellingham can grow to be one in every of Actual Madrid’s biggest ever gamers, says former Los Blancos boss Rafa Benitez.
The England midfielder has been a success within the Spanish capital since his transfer from Borussia Dortmund in 2023 and is main their efforts to defend their Champions League crown this season after lifting the trophy in his first marketing campaign on the Bernabeu.
Bellingham scored the winner in Actual’s dramatic 3-2 win over Manchester Metropolis final week and is about to be key to his aspect progressing by means of their knockout play-off tie in Wednesday’s second leg.
In an interview with Sky Sports activities, Spaniard Benitez believes the 21-year-old has all instruments to grow to be the newest in an extended checklist of greats on the illustrious LaLiga membership.
The previous Actual boss stated: “He has the potential, sure. It’s attainable to do it, it’s a query of time. I stated earlier than, trendy soccer has modified so much. Up to now, the gamers, they’ve individuals round, however they have been extra centered, and also you didn’t have the social media, so that you had much less distractions.
“Now they’ve so many individuals round, a lot cash, really easy to get no matter you need, and the social media has a lot affect that it’s tough to be constant for 5, 10 years.
“So, we’re speaking about to be higher than [Alfredo] Di Stefano, to be higher than Raul, to be higher than [Emilio] Butragueno. You need to be actually constant to be higher than them. He has the potential, sure.
“Can he do it for a couple of years? It is dependent upon how mature he’s after which the individuals round him.”
5️⃣ @BellinghamJude
9️⃣ @KMbappe pic.twitter.com/WYOBDD3z1M— Actual Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 18, 2025
‘Actual will get the job achieved’
Actual Madrid scored two targets within the remaining 5 minutes on the Etihad final Tuesday, permitting them to return residence with a vital benefit and Benitez believes his former aspect will get the job achieved.
He added: “In principle, Actual Madrid has to assault, however I don’t assume Carlo Ancelotti can be apprehensive about that. There can be that expectation now that Actual will get the job completed on the Bernabeu.
“Manchester Metropolis don’t have the identical confidence that they’d prior to now. However don’t neglect that it’s Champions League, and Pep Guardiola has expertise in that, and the gamers that he has, they’ve large expertise additionally on the European degree.
“So, I feel all the pieces can occur. After they have a lot high quality within the staff, within the squad, something can occur.”
