Jude Bellingham can become one of Real Madrid’s biggest players, says former boss Los Blancos Rafa Benitez.
The English midfielder was a blow to the Spanish capital since his transition from Borussia Dortmund in 2023 and is leading their efforts to defend the Champions League Crown this season after lifting the trophy in his first Bernabeu campaign.
Bellingham scored the winner in Real’s 3-2 dramatic victory over Manchester City last week and is going to be the key to his side to go through the Knockout Play-off tie on Wednesday’s second leg.
In an interview with Sky Sports, the Spanish Benitez believes that the 21 -year -old has all the tools to become the last one on a long list of adults at the prominent Laliga Club.
The ex -real boss said: “It has the opportunity, yes. It is possible to do it, it is a matter of time. I said before, modern football has changed a lot. In the past, players have people around, but they were more focused and you didn’t have the Social media, so you had fewer distractions.
“Now they have so many people around, so much money, so easy to get whatever you want, and social media have so much influence that it is difficult to be consistent for five, 10 years.
“So, we’re talking about being better than (Alfredo) Di Stefano. To be better than Raul, to be better than (Emilio) Butragueno. You have to be really consistent to be better than them. He has the potential. Yes.
“Can he do it for a few years? It depends on how mature it is and then the people around him. ”
5⃣⃣ @Bellinghamjude
9⃣⃣ @Kmbappe pic.twitter.com/wyobdd3z1m– Real Madrid CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) 18 February 2025
‘The real will do the job’
Real Madrid scored two goals in the last five minutes at Etihad last Tuesday, allowing them to return home with a crucial advantage, and Benitez believes his former side will do the job.
He added: “Theoretically, Real Madrid must attack, but I don’t think Carlo Ancelotti will worry about it. There will be this expectation now that the real will complete the job at Bernabeu.
“Manchester City do not have the same confidence they have in the past. But don’t forget that it is the Champions League, and Pep Guardiola has experience in it, and its players have vast experience at European level.
“So, I think everything can happen. When they have so much quality in the team, in the team, whatever can happen.”
