Jude Bellingham has had ‘bigger impact’ at Real Madrid than Ronaldo, Zidane and Figo, says ex-teammate of Galactico trio
Jude Bellingham has made a bigger impact at Real Madrid than Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo already.
That is the verdict from Steve McManaman, who played alongside all three during his four years at Real Madrid, but he still believes Bellingham has impressed most.
Bellingham signed for Madrid last summer from Borussia Dortmund in a deal that could amount to £113million but has already looked worth every penny.
Still aged just 20, the England international has scored 17 goals in LaLiga and looks on course to win the title in his first year.
It has led McManaman to exclaim that he believes Bellingham has already outdone three Galacticos in Zidane, Ronaldo and Figo.
"Luis Figo came into the dressing room," McManaman said to Laura Woods on TNT Sports ahead of Real's clash against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
READ MORE ON JUDE BELLINGHAM
"R9 [Ronaldo Nazario], ‘El Phenomeno’ came into the dressing room. Zizou [Zinedine Zidane] came into the dressing room.
"Nobody has had an impact like he has [Bellingham] and he’s done it at the age of 20 years old. It’s phenomenal."
While McManaman had high praise for Bellingham, the youngster had a poor game at the Allianz Arena as Real drew 2-2 with Bayern.
Carlo Ancelotti roped off the ex-Birmingham ace for Luka Modric halfway through the second half, compounding a poor night for Bellingham, who has still never been on the winning side against Munich.
In nine attempts, he has lost seven and drawn two, stretching back to his days at Dortmund.
McManaman knows a thing or two about Real Madrid, having played alongside all three footballing legends during his 158 appearances for Los Blancos.
Zidane is one of Real's biggest icons, winning the Champions League with the club as a player and a coach, notably three times in a row while in the dugout.
Figo left Barcelona for Madrid in a controversial move but one that worked out for his career as he helped them to two league titles and the Champions League in 2002.
And Ronaldo needs little introduction, arguably one of the greatest goalscorers of all time and up there with the very best.
Nevertheless, it is Bellingham who has impressed McManaman the most while fellow TNT Sports pundit Owen Hargreaves was also full of praise.
Most read in Football
He said: "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.
"His body language and the way he carries himself and the way he walks onto the pitch and the way he walks into the dressing room you would never see a 19-20-year-old do that."