Jude Bellingham is eager to make history with Real Madrid when the Spanish giant face Borrussia Dortmund in 2024 UEFA Champions League final.
Bellingham enjoyed three years at Dortmund before his £88.5million move to Madrid last summer and he will be facing his former team on the biggest stage.
Despite the adventure they’ve had together in the past, Bellingham is determined to put aside any sentiment to help Real to more European glory.
“To play this kind of game is the reason I’m here,” said Bellingham. “I always dreamed of playing for this team and scoring goals. This team means Champions League — it’s what they always want. I want to make a little bit of history with this team.
“It’s very special for me to play this game, but we have to try to put the emotions to one side. It’s important we’re at our best. It’s difficult for the other teams when we play at that level. I have 100 per cent confidence.”
Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti also seized the moment to heap praise on Toni Kroos who will be playing his last match for Real Madrid on Saturday.
The 34-year-old German has enjoyed a trophy-laden career since joining from Bayern Munich in 2014, winning both LaLiga and the Champions League four times, and coach Carlo Ancelotti says he deserves to go out with another trophy.
“We are saying farewell to a footballing great,” said the Italian. “He is a great midfielder with huge quality and fantastic character, with little ego, who always played for the team.
“We have been lucky to have him for 10 years. Toni could close his career with a Champions League and at an individual level he deserves it. But his career doesn’t need another Champions League. He has been a fantastic player for 10 years, he had made history with Real Madrid and in world football.”
