90min

Zinedine Zidane discusses Jude Bellingham's move to Real Madrid

Jude Bellingham recently completed a €103m move from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid, taking the number five shirt which was popularised by Zinedine Zidane during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.

By Sean Walsh

Zidane expects Bellingham to deliver for Real Madrid
Zidane expects Bellingham to deliver for Real Madrid / Sylvain Lefevre/Getty Images, Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images
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Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane has insisted that summer signing Jude Bellingham is 'ready' to play for the club.

Bellingham completed his €103m transfer from Borussia Dortmund earlier this month, signing a six-year contract with Los Blancos.

The 19-year-old opted to take the number five shirt which was popularised during Zidane's playing days at the Santiago Bernabeu.

At his unveiling press conference, Bellingham said: "I admire Zidane a lot and it's a number that inspires me. I don't want to be like him, because I'm different. I'm delighted to wear this number. It's an honour.

"The shirt itself is a great responsibility. [Zidane] is a player I have always valued, for me he has been the best. I want to expand the legacy of the number."

Zidane, who won 17 trophies at Real Madrid as a player and across two spells as manager, has spoken fondly of Bellingham and recalled meeting him at Los Blancos' Champions League final victory against Liverpool in 2022.

READ MORE ON JUDE BELLINGHAM'S REAL MADRID MOVE

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"Jude Bellingham is an important player for the future. He is ready to play at Real Madrid," Zidane said to Telefoot.

"I met Bellingham at the 2022 Champions League final, we spoke a little, I hope he has a great career."

Zidane also spoke of how football has changed from his era as a player, admitting it is now a more 'physical' sport.

"In my time, football was a little less physical than it is now," he added. "With only the technique you could go far. Now I think it's more complicated. Today's football is different, if I had played at this time, perhaps my physique would have played a trick on me."

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On this week's edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Toby Cudworth is joined by Graeme Bailey and Sean Walsh to discuss the latest transfer news. On the agenda is Arsenal's approach for Jurrien Timber, Kai Havertz and Declan Rice, the exodus of Chelsea players to Saudi Arabia, Moises Caicedo, Kyle Walker, Man Utd's goalkeeper plans & more!

If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!

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