I’m a Real Madrid legend and Ballon d’Or runner-up, Jude Bellingham is the best player I’ve seen in a very long time
JUDE BELLINGHAM strikes fear within the ranks of Real Madrid’s rivals, according to a football legend.
The Brit, 20, has been revelation since arriving at the Bernabeu last summer for an initial £88.5million transfer from Borussia Dortmund.
Twenty goals in 29 appearances, including 16 in LaLiga, is making a strong case for the midfielder to be considered the best player in the world this season.
His first campaign in the famous white colours of Madrid saw him nominated on Monday for the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award.
Raul is a club legend at Madrid, having won six league titles and three Champions Leagues as part of the Galacticos era.
And the retired Spanish forward, 46, said: “Jude Bellingham is one of the players who has impressed me the most in the past few years.
“I had the opportunity to see him training and playing in a few games, of course.
“I think as the president of Real Madrid Florentino Perez would say, he was born to play in Real Madrid.
“In such a short time, he’s known how to connect with people, with the values that Real Madrid and sports in general transmit.
“And then, despite his young age, he’s very mature in his way of expressing himself, connecting with people. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a player with those qualities.
“I wish him all the best because he’s just starting out. He hasn’t even been here in Madrid for six or seven months yet.
“But I think Real Madrid fans are enjoying him a lot. Rivals fear him, which is a really good sign.
“And I think he’s a guy with a very clear mind. He knows what he wants and I think he’s going to give a lot to Real Madrid.
“He’s also going to give a lot to his national team, too.
“Because he’s going to be a role model to all those girls and boys, who want to be a footballer or be involved in sports. Mainly through hard work, he’s achieving his dreams.”
Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning Manchester City team and Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland head the list of nominations for the 25th Laureus World Sports Awards.
Football superstar Lionel Messi, tennis world No1 Novak Djokovic, F1 world champion Max Verstappen and South Africa World Cup-winning rugby captain Siya Kolisi have all been shortlisted for accolades.
The winners of the Awards will be revealed in Madrid on Monday, April 22.