Real Madrid 'freak' Jude Bellingham hailed by Raphael Honigstein - 'I don't think there's a ceiling for this kid'

Raphael Honigstein lauded England's Jude Bellingham as “a freak” after he turned in yet another scintillating display as Real Madrid beat Braga 2-1 in the Champions League.

The Englishman bagged his 11th goal of the season in all competitions and third in three Champions League appearances in what has been a rapid start to his career with the Spanish giants.

At just 20 years old, Bellingham has already become a focal point for a Madrid attack that has Los Blancos top of La Liga and of their Champions League group.

Bellingham’s latest goal turned out to be the match-winner against Braga and it had the TNT Sports pundits once again singing his praises in the aftermath.

“Tonight Vinicius Jr was perhaps, if you want to single out a single player, more influential,” Honigstein began. “But Jude, not just because of the goal but also his all-round play, being that reference point so often that is not really there in this team without a recognised centre-forward.

“They play with two wide forwards and then Bellingham just behind so in a nine-and-a-half position, sometimes he is the number 10, sometimes is the furthest player forward in a real No. 9 role, and that makes the attack very hard to defend, especially on the break.

“I don't think there's a ceiling for this kid. He's a freak.”

Rodrygo fired Madrid ahead in the 16th minute when he got on the end of Vinicius Jr’s low cross.

Braga had chances to level but fell further behind when Bellingham exquisitely found the far corner from the edge of the box after Vinicius Jr had scrambled to keep the ball in play.

The Brazilian fed his English team-mate, who took one touch and finished with all the composure of a veteran striker.

The goal continued Bellingham’s incredible scoring run since joining Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in the summer for £88.5 million.

Such has been his prowess and ability to find himself in the right place at the right time, he has not gone consecutive games without scoring, despite not being an out-and-out striker.

Bellingham has had a busy start to life in Madrid and cut a tired figure towards the end of the game, but manager Carlo Ancelotti allayed any injury concerns.

“He is OK,” Ancelotti said after the game. “His adductors are a bit charged because the pitch was a bit soft, but nothing special.

“He will recover. He is OK. He is a bit tired, like everybody else. But that's normal.”

Real Madrid face Barcelona this weekend in the first El Clasico of the season.

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