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    'No one has done this' - Real Madrid and Chelsea legend backs Jude Bellingham for biggest prize

    Seb SternikSeb Sternik31 May 2024
    Jude Bellingham scores twice for Real Madrid against Girona 10 Feb, 2024

    Jude Bellingham scores twice for Real Madrid against Girona 10 Feb, 2024

    Real Madrid and Chelsea legend Claude Makelele believes Jude Bellingham can win the Ballon D’Or.

    The 20-year-old has enjoyed a stunning debut season for Los Blancos, scoring 23 goals across all competitions. The midfielder could now cap off the campaign by winning the Champions League at Wembley on Saturday against his former club, Borussia Dortmund.

    Makelele now thinks the England international could claim the biggest individual prize in the game.

    “He is a future Ballon D’Or if he continues like this,” the Frenchman said. “He can take it, if he wins the Champions League and has a great Euros, I think he will be the winner of the Ballon D’Or.

    “I am so impressed with what he has done. First with the quality he has, then the leadership and how he adapted to LaLiga and Madrid.

    “No one has done this before. To do what he has done is amazing.

    “A young player like this, he has many years of great football. Also for the national team it will be great to see him play.”

    Bellingham will be looking to replicate his club performances for England as the Three Lions prepare for the European Championships in Germany. 

    But Makelele believes boss Gareth Southgate has to take the reins off him.

    “For England he can be great, it is important for him to play the way he does with Real Madrid,” he added.

    “For the national team he needs to have the capacity for the manager to give him this possibility, to have the freedom he has at Real Madrid. All the quality he has for Real Madrid he can give to England, he will need his team-mates to defend him.

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    “He is a clever player and he will adapt to his team-mates in the national team.”

    Makelele was appearing at the FedEx Activation at the Champions League fans festival on Regent Street, where the trophy was delivered along with the famous anthem.

    “We walked with the trophy with the Champions League anthem playing and we spoke to many fans,” he said. “It was a new experience, but it was nice.”

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