Real Madrid thrashed Manchester City on Wednesday to secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League. Having emanated some enthralling games in the last few years, City and Madrid were expected to showcase the same during the playoff round of the UCL 2024-25. However, contrary to what transpired previously, City proved to be a no-match against the 15-time winners across both legs. Madrid's offensive line- Vinicius Jr. Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo goes- combined with Jude Bellingham and some exhilarating football was produced on the day. Following the culmination of the 3-1 victory over City, Jude Bellingham showered praise on a Real Madrid teammate, who he deems the "most talented" member of the squad.
With a return to form, Kylian Mbappe looks likely to score in every game and with Vinicius Jr. present at the adjacent side, the defenders tend to have a hard time. While there is no dearth of talent in his Madrid side, Jude Bellingham has picked up a player, who he says is the most talented in the squad.
"Rodrygo is so underrated. For me, he’s probably the most talented and most gifted player in the squad. The things he can do with a football…
‘We’ll be messing around in training and he’ll flick the ball up and we’re all like, “how did you do that?” I’m trying to copy him and I’m twisting my ankles"
"It’s a pleasure to play with both of them. They affect and win games for us. Another thing to mention with Rodrygo is he sacrifices the most.
‘It’s clear that his favourite position is on the left but he does a lot for the team defensively on the right side and he never complains, he just gets on with it."
Real Madrid will face city rivals Atletico or German club Bayer Leverkusen in the last-16 of the Champions League.