Bellingham: I want to play with Mbappe at Real Madrid

Real Madrid new signing, Jude Bellingham, says he would like to see Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward, Kylian Mbappe, join him at the club.

Bellingham said this during his opening presentation at the club on Thursday.

The England international has signed a six-year contract at the Bernabeu and will wear the No. 5 shirt – previously worn by his idol, Zinedine Zidane – for Real Madrid next season.

Asked about Madrid’s links with Mbappe, the 19-year-old midfielder said: “If anything, my whole saga has taught me that not everything you see is true.

“He’s a great player, whatever he chooses to do, all the best to him. Would I like to play with a player like Kylian Mbappe? Who wouldn’t?”

Madrid confirmed the deal to sign the England midfielder – a deal Borussia Dortmund have said is worth an initial €103 million ($111 million), with another possible €30 million ($32 million) due in variables – on Wednesday.

Bellingham added: “The reason I’ve said it’s the proudest day of my life is because it’s the greatest football club in the history of the game.

“Not many players get the opportunity to play at such a brilliant, historic club. I feel really grateful.”

Madrid beat interest from Premier League giants Manchester City and Liverpool to land Bellingham.

He said: “Money’s not a thing for me.

“I don’t think about money at all when I make these kind of decisions. I spoke with people when I was given permission by Borussia Dortmund; I spoke to [Madrid chief scout] Juni [Calafat] and [managing director] Jose Angel [Sanchez], and I loved the feeling I got… It wasn’t the case that the other teams were bad; it’s just that, for me, Madrid are the greatest.”

“I’d always been aware of the interest from England, so that was pretty normal. But it was a bit of a surprise when my dad sat me down and said, ‘You’ve had interest from Real Madrid,’ 12 or 15 months ago.

“It was goosebumps, my heart was close to stopping. It’s something you don’t expect growing up, playing for a team like this.”

Bellingham is the sixth English player to sign for Madrid, following in the footsteps of Laurie Cunningham, Steve McManaman, David Beckham, Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate.

He said he had chosen the No. 5 – rather than his usual 22 – because of its association with Zidane.

The Star

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