Exclusive: Paul Scholes backs Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham for Ballon d'Or glory, 'better than anything we’ve seen’
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Updated 13/10/2023 at 07:29 GMT
Paul Scholes lavished praise on Jude Bellingham after a stunning start to the midfielder's Real Madrid career. The 20-year-old has made an incredible start to life at the Bernabeu under Carlo Ancelotti, and Manchester United legend Scholes feels the sky is the limit for the midfielder. Scholes believes Bellingham's individual qualities stand him out from other great midfielders from the past.
Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and CA Osasuna at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 07, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.
Image credit: Getty Images
Paul Scholes believes the sky is the limit for what Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham can achieve, saying he has "no weakness" and can go on to win the Ballon d’Or.
The 20-year-old has made a stunning start to life at the Bernabeu, taking his tally to 10 goals in his first 10 matches in all competitions with a double against Osasuna at the weekend.
He is also a regular in the England squad, and TNT Sports expert Scholes feels that no other player can match the midfielder’s progress at such a young age.
“I think Jude Bellingham for his age and what he's accomplished so far in his short career, is better than anything we've seen,” he told TNT Sports.
“He started at Birmingham and then decided to go to Borussia Dortmund, which by the looks of things looks like the right move for him, given what happened over the last few years.
“It was a really brave move for him, but he’s such a driven and determined lad with so much talent - nothing seems to faze him.
“He's gone to one of the biggest clubs in the world now in Real Madrid and he's just cracking on like he's playing for Birmingham! He just stands out that much.”
Bellingham joined Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in the summer in a deal initially worth €103m (£88.5m).
Scholes thinks he is at the right club to fulfil his sky-high ambitions and win arguably the game’s most prestigious individual honour.
“I find it hard to compare him to anybody, he just stands out on his own at the moment,” said Scholes.
“I’m sure he's thinking about the Ballon d'Or, with the way he's going at the moment. You try and look for a chink in his armour. Is he a bad lad? Can he go off the rails? He doesn't seem like it.
“He's so intelligent and well-spoken, with a great family behind him. There's no weakness in him.
"He can go as far as he wants to and he's gone a long way already. He's at Real Madrid, he could go onto win La Liga and Champions League titles. That will be his ambition and he's at club where, historically, they win the big ones.
“I don't see any reason why he can't be one of the best there has been in the next 10 years.”
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Hargreaves hails Bellingham as 'best player in the world right now'
Scholes earned 66 caps for England in a trophy-laden career at the highest level, and feels that Bellingham could break Peter Shilton’s all-time appearance record for the Three Lions.
Bellingham still has some way to go to match Shilton’s tally of 125, but after already amassing 26 caps at the age of 20, that target is not completely out of the question.
When asked if he could break that record, Scholes replied: “If he stays fit for the next 10 years, then without a shadow of a doubt.
“But with the way he plays, he will pick injuries up. He plays with a lot of hustle and bustle, and is a thick set lad. He's twisting and turning all the time. I hope to God he doesn't get injured because he could easily get past that (number).”
Bellingham is in the England squad for their upcoming friendly against Australia (October 13) and UEFA Nations League clash against Italy (October 17).
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