Former Real Madrid and England boss Fabio Capello has compared Jude Bellingham to Lionel Messi – but there is a problem for the Three Lions.
Bellingham has become a superstar since signing for Real Madrid last summer from Borussia Dortmund, where he won the Laureus Breakthrough Star Award on Monday night.
The 20-year-old has quickly established himself at the Bernabeu, where he has scored 21 times this season, including a late winner against Barcelona in the Clasico on Sunday.
Many England fans are desperate to see the midfielder light up Euro 2024 this summer in Germany, with some believing Gareth Southgate’s men can go all the way.
And former Real and England boss Capello counts himself among the fans, even comparing Bellingham to Messi in terms of the impact he has already had.
Speaking at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid, the legendary Italian said: “Only super players can play like him at this age – (Lionel) Messi and a few others.
learn more about Jude Bellingham
“It’s an incredible performance that I saw in a really important match like El Clasico because he was very good on every part of the pitch.
“He came running back and covered the ball. The fans understand a lot of things.
“As fans, they know this player wants to win. He runs and fights.
While Capello believes England could achieve glory this summer at Euro 2024, he believes Southgate has one glaring problem: his goalkeeping.
The Three Lions have a wealth of attacking options, but Jordan Pickford has been criticized.
“I love England,” he said. “It’s really strong in every part of the team, their midfielders and the top strikers: Bellingham, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka.
“I think that the central defender [there’s] some problems and it’s not the same level as the other part of the team.
“The midfield is good, the attackers are really good, the right and left defenders are good. I have doubts about these two central defenders and doubts about the goalkeeper.”
Pickford has been England’s No1 since the 2018 World Cup and has since made 60 caps for the Three Lions – more than David James, Chris Woods and Paul Robinson.
However, Capello insisted Pickford could have been struck by fear after going long in the Euro 2020 final, which saw England lose to Italy on penalties.
“Sometimes he’s really, really good. Sometimes that’s the problem,” Capello added.
“I saw the match they lost against Italy, the final at Wembley. After 20 minutes he started to shoot a long ball. Is it fear?
England begin their Euro 2024 campaign on June 16 when they face Serbia before further group stage matches against Denmark and Slovenia.
Former Real Madrid and England boss Fabio Capello has compared Jude Bellingham to Lionel Messi – but there is a problem for the Three Lions.
Bellingham has become a superstar since signing for Real Madrid last summer from Borussia Dortmund, where he won the Laureus Breakthrough Star Award on Monday night.
The 20-year-old has quickly established himself at the Bernabeu, where he has scored 21 times this season, including a late winner against Barcelona in the Clasico on Sunday.
Many England fans are desperate to see the midfielder light up Euro 2024 this summer in Germany, with some believing Gareth Southgate’s men can go all the way.
And former Real and England boss Capello counts himself among the fans, even comparing Bellingham to Messi in terms of the impact he has already had.
Speaking at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid, the legendary Italian said: “Only super players can play like him at this age – (Lionel) Messi and a few others.
learn more about Jude Bellingham
“It’s an incredible performance that I saw in a really important match like El Clasico because he was very good on every part of the pitch.
“He came running back and covered the ball. The fans understand a lot of things.
“As fans, they know this player wants to win. He runs and fights.
While Capello believes England could achieve glory this summer at Euro 2024, he believes Southgate has one glaring problem: his goalkeeping.
The Three Lions have a wealth of attacking options, but Jordan Pickford has been criticized.
“I love England,” he said. “It’s really strong in every part of the team, their midfielders and the top strikers: Bellingham, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka.
“I think that the central defender [there’s] some problems and it’s not the same level as the other part of the team.
“The midfield is good, the attackers are really good, the right and left defenders are good. I have doubts about these two central defenders and doubts about the goalkeeper.”
Pickford has been England’s No1 since the 2018 World Cup and has since made 60 caps for the Three Lions – more than David James, Chris Woods and Paul Robinson.
However, Capello insisted Pickford could have been struck by fear after going long in the Euro 2020 final, which saw England lose to Italy on penalties.
“Sometimes he’s really, really good. Sometimes that’s the problem,” Capello added.
“I saw the match they lost against Italy, the final at Wembley. After 20 minutes he started to shoot a long ball. Is it fear?
England begin their Euro 2024 campaign on June 16 when they face Serbia before further group stage matches against Denmark and Slovenia.