The 'Predator' Bellingham, Zidane's boots and the Nico Paz diamond: "Let it serve as a message for the youth players"

“The language has returned”. Against Cádiz, Jude Bellingham gave the fans a celebration with a certain mystique. He stuck out his tongue and posted that message on his Instagram account. Against Naples and in the Champions League we knew the reason. The English footballer debuted on his feet a replica of the legendary Adidas Predator boots with which Zinedine Zidane marked an era. Maybe nothing is a coincidence. The current player most similar in style and elegance to the Frenchman has been one of those chosen by the German brand to commemorate one of its most iconic products: the black boots with the red tongue and the Adidas lines in white.

With them Bellingham once again made history with Real Madrid. The Brit headed a perfect Alaba cross into the net and put the white team ahead against the Italians. His fourth goal in four games, at so much per game. A fact that no one can match in the history of Chamartín. Not even Cristiano Ronaldo. Jude did not play against Braga but scored against the Portuguese in the neighboring country, against Napoli in Italy and in Madrid and in the debut against Unión Berlin. Sum, counting the six scored with Dortmund, 10 goals in the Champions League. “History repeats itself,” Madrid wrote on their social networks.

«It is difficult to compare two different generations. What I see differently is that Bellingham has an arrival inside the area that Zidane did not have, and Zidane had an individual quality that Bellingham does not have,” reflected Ancelotti, who admitted that “modern football wants physically stronger players” and that Jude It is “a gift for football”. “He has to improve his Spanish, nobody is perfect,” he joked.

Bellingham left a goal and a giant scare for the local parish. The midfielder hurt his left ankle in a spin and was on the ground for a minute writhing in pain.. 60 seconds that seemed very long at the Bernabéu. The Englishman has been suffering from shoulder discomfort for days and is playing with a bandage, so it didn't seem like the day to risk any mishap.. Despite everything, it seemed like a minor sprain and Bellingham was able to continue playing during the second half.

Rodrygo, on a roll

Another protagonist was Rodrygo Goes, who continues to take advantage of Vinicius' absence to gain importance in Madrid's attack.. He equaled Simeone's initial goal, scored his 18th goal in the Champions League, equaled Pirri, entered the club's Top-10 and became the Brazilian with the most goals in the European Cup in the team's history.. His streak does not stop, he has accumulated 6 goals and 4 assists in his last 4 games and although he retired with discomfort, it was nothing more than a small cramp.

The whites' lead at half-time left Ancelotti with only one anger: Ceballos' game. It was not the day of the Andalusian, who lost several possessions at the beginning of the duel and did not quite fit into a system that focused on Valverde, placed Kroos on the left and the former Betis player on the right, supporting Carvajal in defense and somewhat furthest from the attack organization. Another loss of his caused a dangerous counterattack by Naples and was the first change for the Italian coach.

The second would be the youth squad Nico Paz, the other great protagonist of the night, to whom Carletto gave an important half hour in the Champions League after Anguissa's tie.. The first place in the group was at stake and Ancelotti did not tremble. He withdrew Brahim, who suffered several cramps in his calf after a game in which he had his good moments, and included the young midfielder, who accompanied Valverde and Kroos, perhaps too alone in the midfield.. He didn't waste it.

“I didn't even know what I was doing”

The final stretch was a Bellingham spectacle and a moment that Nico Paz will never forget. The youth player invented a cutback and a left-footed shot that surprised Meret and confirmed Madrid's first place, crowned with the goal from Joselu, who apologized after several mistakes. “Nico is a talent, a player for the future. He has contributed in a time of difficulty and has all the quality to be here,” praised Ancelotti.

The midfielder, born in Tenerife but international with Argentina, is the son of former soccer player Pablo Paz, and at 19 years old he is already one of the first team. “This is a dream. For a moment I didn't believe it. I dared, I was in automatic mode and I didn't even know what I was doing… I hit him… and freaking out, to be honest,” the footballer joked on the pitch, where he wanted to vindicate the Madrid youth academy: “We have one of the best academies in the world, if not the best. “We are here for this… and let it serve as a message to the rest of the youth players: this is possible.”