Real Madrid talisman a Ballon d’Or contender admits Bayern Munich ace – ‘No one expected…’ | OneFootball

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the UEFA Champions League semi-final second-leg tie between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, Manuel Neuer has admitted that Jude Bellingham is a contender to win the Ballon d’Or.

The 20-year-old Real Madrid midfielder has enjoyed a brilliant debut season at Real Madrid, having arrived from Borussia Dortmund last summer.

The Englishman has been one of the driving forces behind Los Blancos’ success this season, along with Vinicius Jr.

And Neuer, who has seen Bellingham from close quarters in the Bundesliga, admitted that the England star is a genuine candidate to win the Ballon d’Or.

“Yes, Jude can win the Ballon d’Or, if you go all the way to the end of any competition you are a candidate. But it also depends on England’s performance in the summer,” said Neuer.

“In Germany, we know well how Jude plays, his transfer to Madrid made sense and he has arrived here like a bombshell.”

Adding that very few expected Bellingham to score so many goals upon arriving in Madrid, Neuer remarked:

“He is playing higher up than at BVB, but no one expected him to score so many goals, that after Benzema a player like him would arrive for Madrid’s attacking football. Everyone at Bayern knows him from the Bundesliga and we know he can make a difference.”

Ballon d’Or contender. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP via Getty Images)

The German goalkeeper then added that even though Bellingham will be a threat, he expects Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane to be the deciding factor.

At the same time, he also added that Real Madrid have many dangerous players and focusing one just one or two would not bode well for the Bavarians, saying:

“It’s hard for me to choose just one player from Madrid. There’s Jude, Vini, but many players can make a difference.”

On playing at the Bernabeu

Neuer also acknowledged that playing at the Santiago Bernabeu is a special feeling for any player, while also adding that the stadium looks exceptional after the renovation.

“The stadium is impressive. I already knew it from other times, but now it has something special, historic, and I think there is no better stadium in the world to play in. We are very happy to be here,” he said.

“We’ve all had a dream, we’ve thought about Madrid, this stadium and the possibility of reaching the final and winning the Champions League. We are all aware of this reality. We still have one last step to go,” the goalkeeper added.

Source: MARCA