Rafael Benitez said England midfielder Jude Bellingham has the potential to be one of Real Madrid’s greatest players.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News senior reporter Tim Thornton, the ex-Bernabeu boss says he expects his former team to finish the job against Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday, but warns that City’s European experience will make them dangerous opponents.
Benitez has also spoken of his desire to work again in the Premier League, and revealed he recently turned down the opportunity to manage in Brazil.
Benitez sat alongside England boss Thomas Tuchel at the Etihad for last week’s first leg, when Bellingham’s late goal gave Real Madrid a 3-2 lead.
Jude Bellingham celebrates his stoppage-time winner
“I saw him [Bellingham] the other day and he was doing well,” said Benitez. “He has energy, good movement and he was playing with confidence. I think he’s getting better.”
When pushed on whether Bellingham – who is currently under scrutiny after getting sent off against Osasuna at the weekend – has the potential to become one Real Madrid’s greatest players, Benitez added: “He has the potential, yes. It is possible to do it, it’s a question of time. I said before, modern football has changed a lot.
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Dermot Gallagher and Stephen Warnock discuss Bellingham’s red card for dissent during Real Madrid’s game at Osasuna in La Liga
“In the past, the players, they have people around, but they were more focused, and you didn’t have the social media, so you had less distractions.
“Now they have so many people around, so much money, so easy to get whatever you want, and the social media has so much influence that it is difficult to be consistent for five, 10 years.
“So, we are talking about to be better than [Alfredo] Di Stefano, to be better than Raul, to be better than [Emilio] Butragueno. You have to be really consistent to be better than them. He has the potential, yes.
“Can he do it for a few years? It depends on how mature he is and then the people around him.”
Manchester City were knocked out of the Champions League on penalties by Real Madrid last season, and the Spanish giants are hot favourites to go through again this week.
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Pep Guardiola says ‘all of us’ are to blame for Manchester City letting a 2-1 lead slip against Real Madrid in the Champions League
“In theory, Real Madrid has to attack, but I don’t think Carlo Ancelotti will be worried about that. There will be that expectation now that Real will get the job finished at the Bernabeu.
“Manchester City don’t have the same confidence that they had in the past. But don’t forget that it’s Champions League, and Pep Guardiola has experience in that, and the players that he has, they have massive experience also at the European level.
“So, I think everything can happen. When they have so much quality in the team, in the squad, anything can happen.”
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Sky Sports’ Pete Smith takes a closer look at Manchester City’s current troubles and why they may be surrendering leads late on in matches
The vastly experienced Benitez, 64, has been out of football management since leaving Celta Vigo last year, but is already preparing for his next job. And he almost joined Brazilian side Botafogo last month.
“Yes, it was very close. I had a very good conversation with the owner and also the director of football. They impressed me because they were very ambitious. But it was too far away.
“Then you have to analyse all the details, and my family is here. I was very happy with the approach because I liked the way that they approached. Very professional. And the ideas were very good.
“I have had a lot of offers during the year. But I was always waiting for the Premier League because it’s the league that I like. You have to choose the right opportunity and hopefully it will come soon.”
