Steve McManaman has made a bold assertion regarding the impact of Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid.
He suggests that the young English midfielder has outshone even the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo Nazario, and Luis Figo during their initial spells at the club.
Bellingham's meteoric rise has been nothing short of sensational. Joining Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund for a whopping £113 million, the 20-year-old midfielder has seamlessly adapted to the demands of playing for one of the world's biggest football clubs.
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McManaman on Bellingham
The former Madrid player, speaking to TNT Sports, as reported by Daily Mail, hailed Bellingham's influence on the dressing room, stating, "Nobody has had an impact like he has [Bellingham] and he’s done it at the age of 20 years old. It’s phenomenal."
With 17 goals in LaLiga, including three crucial strikes in El Clasico encounters, Bellingham has been instrumental in guiding Madrid to the summit of the Spanish top flight.
Additionally, he played a pivotal role in securing the Spanish Super Copa and steering Madrid to the Champions League semi-finals.
McManaman further praised Bellingham's remarkable form throughout the season, emphasizing his pivotal role in Madrid's success.
"His form throughout the year has been exceptional," McManaman stated. "He joined Real Madrid on a big money signing at the start of the year at the age of 19."
Owen Hargreaves, also speaking to TNT Sports, commended Bellingham's maturity and authenticity, highlighting how the young midfielder has seamlessly integrated into the Real Madrid setup.
"I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player do that," Hargreaves remarked. "I mean to take on Zidane’s No 5 – one of the most iconic players ever at Real Madrid. The thing about Jude is that his talent is so undeniably special."