Champions League

Carlo Ancelotti not keen on Jude Bellingham, Zinedine Zidane comparisons

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 30 November 2023

Ancelotti not keen on Bellingham, Zidane comparisons

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti says that it is "hard to compare" Jude Bellingham with the club's legendary former midfielder Zinedine Zidane.

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has said that it is "hard to compare" Jude Bellingham with Zinedine Zidane due to the different qualities of the two players.

Bellingham has made an incredible start to his Los Blancos career, scoring 15 goals and registering four assists in 16 appearances in all competitions.

The 20-year-old was again in excellent form against Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, scoring and assisting in a 4-2 success over the Italian giants, with the result seeing Real Madrid secure their spot in the knockout round of the competition as Group C winners.

Bellingham's impact has seen him compared to Zidane, who starred for the capital giants between 2001 and 2006, with the Frenchman widely regarded as one of the club's best-ever players.

Ancelotti was asked about the similarities that have been drawn between the two following the success over Napoli, and the Italian admitted that he found it difficult to compare them.

Zinedine Zidane in action for Real Madrid during his playing days © Reuters

"It's hard to compare him with Zidane. They are two different generations. Bellingham has presence in the box that Zidane did not have and Zidane had an individual quality that Bellingham does not have," he told reporters.

"Modern football wants players who are physically strong and able to cover a lot of field quickly."

Ancelotti also said that he continues to be "surprised" by Bellingham, who has 11 goals in La Liga and four in the Champions League for the club this term.

"Surprised every day and every game. Not only to us but to everyone. It is a gift for soccer. The teammates and the fans are delighted with him and the whole world of football, who sees a player with this potential and this positive image," he added.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham on November 26, 2023 © Reuters

"I hope he can continue like this. I don't get into the issue of the money it has cost, but it has been a spectacular signing. We have to keep in mind that he is 20 years old. He is the ideal player for today's soccer: of intensity and that covers the fast field.

"He is serious, professional, and has adapted very well to the locker room. He works and understands himself very well with others. He has to improve his Spanish [laughs]. No one is perfect."

Meanwhile, Ancelotti also addressed his side's success over Napoli, adding: "It has been a match against a rival with quality. At the level of playing with the ball we have done well, without haste, and managing the exit well from behind. We were able to do better in the defensive aspect. We were tidy, but not aggressive.

"When it seemed that we didn't have enough energy to win, we proved the opposite and that's why we won the game. We are tired and we have had players with cramps. It's normal because it's been an open and very intense game."

Real Madrid will be bidding to make it five straight wins in all competitions when they resume their La Liga campaign at home to Granada on Saturday evening.