‘I love his personality’ – Real Madrid legend waxes lyrical about Bellingham | OneFootball

Real Madrid talisman Jude Bellingham enjoyed the debut season of dreams as he took no time settling in and led Los Blancos to three trophies.

While he fell just short in the 2024 UEFA Euros with England, losing the final to Spain, there remain no doubts about Bellingham’s incredible talents.

Now, a former legend of the game that Bellingham’s play style is often compared to has spoken about him: Zinedine Zidane.

Zidane admires Bellingham’s hunger

Zinedine Zidane expressed his admiration for Jude Bellingham, praising both his talent and his determined personality.

“I love Jude Bellingham and I love his personality in the sense that he’s hungry and always wants to do more. I’m glad he’s at Real Madrid,” he told The Athletic.

When asked if the youngster’s immediate adaptation surprised him, Zidane replied that the Englishman was always destined to be a Real Madrid player. He added that Bellingham could etch himself in Real Madrid’s history in the years to come.

“Not for me. He’s the right player for Madrid. We saw something this year, but I think in the future we are going to see a very strong Jude Bellingham who is going to be Real Madrid history,” Zidane affirmed.

Zidane is in awe of Bellingham. (Photo by GUILLAUME SOUVANT/AFP via Getty Images)

Furthermore, the Frenchman commented on watching the UEFA Champions League final in 2022 with Bellingham and recollected how the midfielder wanted to achieve it himself, saying:

“I remember perfectly. Seeing Madrid win another Champions League. He said he wanted to be there and do the same. In the end, there he is.”

On the comparisons with Bellingham

Zidane responded to comparisons between himself and Jude Bellingham by emphasizing that each player is unique.

While they might share the No. 5 jersey and some technical similarities, Zidane believes there is no need to compare each other.

“Each one is what he is. I think he’s going to be a different player. Apart from the No. 5 that we both wear, technically he may be similar but we don’t have to compare.

“Jude was asked about me and he said, ‘No, I’m Bellingham’. He’s right. Everyone makes their own history, and I think his history at Real Madrid is going to be very beautiful,” Zidane remarked.

On whether he knew Bellingham would be donning his iconic No. 5 jersey, Zidane claimed it was a pleasant surprise: “I didn’t know. It was a surprise, but a good surprise.”