Jude Bellingham names Real Madrid's most talented player | OneFootball

Jude Bellingham has named the player he believes to be Real Madrid's "most talented", but it's not superstar duo Vinicius Junior or Kylian Mbappe.

Even with a defensive injury crisis this season, Madrid's side remains full of stars, with the majority of the attention lavished on Vinicius, Mbappe and Bellingham, who has developed a penchant for scoring winning goals in the dying moments of games.

There is, however, another member of Madrid's forward line who dazzles on a regular. And during post-match media duties following the 3-1 win over Manchester City in the second leg of their Champions League knockout round play-off tie, Bellingham acknowledged the contribution of the "very underrated" Rodrygo.

"For me he is the most talented and gifted player on the team," Bellingham told CBS Sports. "The things Rodrygo does with the ball. The tricks. I ask myself 'how does he do it?' My ankles would buckle."

Rodrygo joined Madrid in 2019, his arrival pre-arranged when he was just 17 in a similar vein to Vinicius' transfer from Flamengo. He enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2021/22 as the club completed a rare La Liga and Champions League double.

Rodrygo is well respected by his teammates / Image Photo Agency/GettyImages

Although typically a winger, he spent most of last season in a central role, which he admitted he wasn't keen on, for the benefit of the team. Rodrygo was also expected to be the fall guy who would make way for Mbappe's arrival this season, but he has remained as important as ever.

"Rodrygo is the one who sacrifices the most. He doesn't complain, he just does it," Bellingham said.

Like Vinicius, Rodrygo has been linked with the ambitious Saudi Pro League, with Al Hilal credited with interest as a replacement for Neymar, who has returned to first club Santos. But, earlier this month, he publicly stated his intention to "stay for many years" in Madrid.