Pedri Hails Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham Ahead of 2025/26 La Liga Season
- Jude Bellingham has registered 38 goals and 28 assists for Real Madrid since joining the La Liga giants in 2023
- Pedri and Bellingham have been nominated as part of this year's Ballon d'Or 30-man shortlist
- The English midfielder won the Champions League with Real Madrid in just his second season in Spanish football
FC Barcelona star midfielder Pedri has spoken highly of a Real Madrid player ahead of the 2025/26 La Liga season.
The Spanish international is one of the 30 players vying for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, with his club teammates Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha all making the shortlist.
Source: Getty Images
In an interview, with France Football via Mundo Deportivo, Pedri thinks Real Madrid are full of top-quality players. He states that when Kylian Mbappé is running at opponents, one-on-one, he’s almost impossible to stop.
The Euro 2024 champions added that Jude Bellingham is simply outstanding— highlighting that the English player's mix of physical power and technical skill makes him a nightmare to play against.
Bellingham's stats
The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder, who recently broke a Wayne Rooney's England record, is one of the highly-rated players in European football, having helped Real Madrid to the 2024 Champions League and La Liga titles.
He joined Los Blancos ahead of the 2022/23 season, scoring 23 goals in 42 games in all events.
In the 2023/24 season, Jude Bellingham netted 15 times in 58 games across all competitions. According to Transfermarkt, he registered 15 goals and 15 assists in 58 games in the 2024/25 season.
Overall, Jude Bellingham's stats stand at 38 goals and 28 assists for Real Madrid as he looks to increase his efforts in the upcoming season.
Pedri nominated for Ballon d'Or
The 22-year-old enjoyed an outstanding campaign with Barcelona, playing a key role in securing a domestic treble. He also contributed to Spain’s run to the UEFA Nations League final.
Source: Getty Images
Following this success, Pedri spoke with the organisers of the Ballon d’Or, expressing his ambition to one day claim the prestigious prize—especially after seeing fellow Spaniard Rodri Hernández win it last year.
“The Ballon d’Or usually goes to strikers, but Rodri’s victory proves that midfielders deserve greater recognition. So why shouldn’t I dream about winning it myself? Of course, I’m not the one who decides who’s the best—that’s for the voters and those who are better placed to judge.''
''Last season I worked extremely hard and believe I delivered at a high level. From a team perspective, we achieved great things, and personally I found the consistency I had been seeking. The coach’s trust in me was vital—it allowed me to give everything on the pitch.”
Toni Kroos hails Pedri
YEN.com.gh earlier reported that German football legend and ex-Real Madrid star Toni Kroos paid a glowing tribute to Pedri of FC Barcelona.
Kroos made the remark following the Spanish midfielder's top displays for Hansi Flick's side during the 2024/25 season.
Source: YEN.com.gh
