Jude Bellingham, who is only 20 years old, is held in extremely high regard by Steve McManaman, a former midfielder for Real Madrid. McManaman believes that Bellingham has the potential to achieve the same legendary status as some of the sport’s greatest icons, such as Zinedine Zidane, Alfredo Di Stefano, and Ferenc Puskas, by the time his career comes to an end.
During an interview with TNT Sports (by way of EuroSport), McManaman envisioned Bellingham’s incredible trajectory, which has the potential to propel him to the level of a legendary player at Real Madrid.
The midfielder, who is just 20 years old, has made quite an impression ever since he moved to Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund for a cost that is estimated to be approximately €103 million without add-ons. He has scored 13 goals in 14 appearances since making the move.
Real motivation may be found in Madrid’s history.
Over the course of his four-year time at Madrid, McManaman had a great deal of success, winning two La Liga crowns and an equal number of UEFA Champions League trophies.
He is of the opinion that Bellingham has the potential to get motivation from those individuals who had previously been to Santiago Bernabeu and frequented its hallowed grounds.
When you play for Real Madrid, you are expected to achieve and maintain success. “This is a part of the glitz and glamour that comes with playing for Real Madrid,” McManaman added.
It is necessary for him to continue winning trophies and adding to the history of Real Madrid in order for him to be considered one of the greatest players in the history of football. “They are the most successful football club in European history,” he continued.
Over the course of this season, Jude Bellingham has scored 13 goals in matches played. (Image source: Getty Images; photograph by Pierre-Philippe Marcou/AFP)()
He added that in order for Bellingham to get genuine inspiration, all he has to do is glance at the walls of Santiago Bernabeu.
“There are numerous things that may assist him in continuing to improve since all he has to do is look at the walls of the Bernabeu and see players like [Alfredo] Di Stefano, [Ferenc] Puskas, Raul, and [Zinedine] Zidane. Additionally, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, and Toni Kroos have all won five Champions Leagues.
“These people around you will drive you forward, and hopefully make him a better player, because then we will feel the benefit when he’s wearing an England shirt,” he continued. “It’s a win-win situation.”
Never put pressure on someone.
In spite of the fact that McManaman praised Bellingham’s good start at Madrid, he also emphasized how important it is to avoid putting an excessive amount of pressure on young players.
“I remember Theo Walcott getting into the England team [at the age of 17], and you were thinking, ‘Was it too soon?'” “We put so much pressure on them,” one of the players is quoted as saying.
Allowing them to breathe, settle, grow, and mature is something that I like doing.
In my current position as a former player, I am able to affirm that Zidane was a global superstar, much like Ronaldo, who was from Brazil. Before Cristiano Ronaldo calls it quits, he will be a superstar on a global scale.
It is my goal that in 18 years, when Bellingham retires at the age of 38, I will be able to declare that he is one of the greatest football players we have ever seen because he has accomplished something really remarkable.
“There is no pressure on him at this time,” the speaker said. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that he grows as a player while wearing the Real Madrid and England jerseys, and that he goes on to become a very successful young man,” he stated.