Former Barcelona forward Gary Lineker has praised the Blaugrana’s traditional rivals, Real Madrid, for their transfer of Jude Bellingham.
Bellingham recently completed a mega move to Madrid in a deal worth an initial £88.5m. However, this could rise to in excess of £115m with add-ons.
The 19-year-old signed a six-year contract with Los Blancos which ensures that he will run Real’s midfield for years. With this move, Madrid have secured one of the top young talents in World football.
Despite his young age, Bellingham leaves Borussia Dortmund after three excellent years with the club. He emerged as one of BVB’s key players during the past few seasons, helping them to a DFB-Pokal in 2021.
The England international also brought Dortmund tantalisingly close to a first Bundesliga title in over a decade last season. Sadly, though, they came up short on a dramatic final day. But Bellingham did pick up Bundesliga Player of the Season honours for his standout performances in 2022/23.
Jude Bellingham now moves onto a new chapter away from Germany in the form of Real Madrid. He did have interest from numerous Premier League clubs, yet Los Blancos found a way to get their target.
In the opinion of Gary Lineker, this was the correct choice from the Englishman.
Gary Lineker praises Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham after transfer
Speaking exclusively to La Liga TV, the ex-Leicester, Everton, and Spurs striker described the transfer as “fabulous”.
“I think it’s a fabulous move for Jude Bellingham,” said Lineker. “We all know how successful Real Madrid have been – the 14 Champions Leagues, their record is remarkable. They are, I think, in the World’s big three football clubs. It’s probably Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester United in terms of stature.
“For Jude Bellingham… Firstly, to learn his trade in Germany, which is a brilliant footballing country, was good for him. He’s clearly incredibly mature – he was captaining a club like Dortmund in his teens.”
Lineker then begrudgingly admitted that Real is an incredible club for Bellingham to join.
“I think this is a good step for him,” added the former England striker. “We all know Real Madrid is a proper football club. I’m biased toward Barcelona, you know we don’t love Real Madrid in Barcelona, to put it mildly.
“But they are a sensational football club, an incredibly successful football club and they play brilliant football. When you look at the players they’ve got, and some of the youngsters that will come through alongside Bellingham – who’s a real leader – I think it’s going to be really interesting to follow.”
Jude Bellingham is the first Real Madrid transfer of the summer, with Joselu recently joining, too. Will anyone else link up with the latest Galactico as they bid to replace Karim Benzema?
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