Owen Hargreaves hails ‘remarkable’ Jude Bellingham as ‘best player in the world right now’ after superb Real Madrid run
/dnl.tntsports.co.uk/sd/img/placeholder/tnt_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 04/10/2023 at 18:21 GMT+1
Jude Bellingham has enjoyed a dream start to life at Real Madrid where he has scored eight goals in his first nine games for the club, including an important strike in a 3-2 win over Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday night. TNT Sports expert Owen Hargreaves said the 20-year-old England midfielder is currently the “best in the world” and has replaced Karim Benzema’s goals in the team.
Hargreaves hails Bellingham as 'best player in the world right now'
Video credit: TNT Sports
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham has been hailed as the “best player in the world right now” by TNT Sports expert Owen Hargreaves.
The 20-year-old midfielder has enjoyed a blistering start to life in Madrid, with eight goals and three assists in his opening nine games for the club after joining from Borussia Dortmund.
He netted in the 3-2 win against Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday night, his second goal in the competition after firing a late winner against Union Berlin a fortnight earlier.
Speaking on TNT Sports’ Champions League coverage, Hargreaves said Bellingham's performances over the last six weeks have been "remarkable".
“He’s the best player in the world right now, on current form,” said former Manchester United and Bayern Munich midfielder.
“I know it’s only early doors, but we just heard the numbers...nine games, eight goals, three assists. He’s not even playing his position. He’s not a No. 10 and he’s scoring goals like a No. 9, replacing [Karim] Benzema.
“The thing about Jude is, as good as he is, his ability to take a step up. Birmingham, [Borussia] Dortmund and now Real Madrid. He takes it in his stride and he gets better. It’s remarkable what he’s doing.”
TNT Sports expert Joleon Lescott said he believes Bellingham is already a 'Galactico' in the eyes of Real Madrid fans.
“I think he is. There’s no almost, he’s definitely a Galactico,” he said, discussing how quickly Bellingham had settled in Spain.
"“I think they [Real Madrid] have recognised it as well.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2023/10/03/3796963-77229188-2560-1440.jpg)
'He's done it again!' - Bellingham dances through Napoli defence to score ‘sublime’ goal for Madrid
Video credit: TNT Sports
“There is a surprise in terms of the numbers, but if I’m honest, wherever I’ve seen Jude play, wherever he’s played, he seems to have been efficient.
“Whether it is as a nine because he had a spell there for Dortmund, he was holding the ball up and pinning people, and then he goes as an eight or a six.
“I just think he’s a wonderful footballer and understands the game to a level that he probably shouldn’t at his age, but he plays with so much maturity and presence, and you can see his team-mates embracing him.
“This isn’t just an average team, this is the biggest club in the world.”
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti said he was "surprised" by how mature Bellingham is at the age of 20.
"It feels like he's 30,” said Ancelotti.
- - -
TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Heineken Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media
Share this article
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement