Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown has compared English and Real Madrid forward Jude Bellingham to Cristiano Ronaldo, highlighting their similar qualities.

Bellingham showcased his talent by scoring a remarkable bicycle kick to rescue England during their Euro 2024 last-16 match against Slovenia, reminiscent of Ronaldo’s impact in crucial games.

Brown, who played alongside Ronaldo during his time at Old Trafford, expressed his belief on the Euro Thrash podcast that Bellingham possesses the same star quality as the Portuguese legend.

 “I don’t think it is arrogance, I just think it is confidence. Cristiano Ronaldo had the same thing. He would get a lot of stick early on and he would come in the next day and be like ‘ok, I will prove them wrong’.

“He knew he was going to make mistakes but ultimately would focus on what he’s doing regardless of a missed chance, missed tackle. He would say, ‘This is football and I am just going to get better and better’. Jude shows that.

“He also shows his frustration at times because he knows he is capable of doing something like that.

“He’s not been in every game, he’s not been in every moment and for me, but without Jude’s goal, we’re out.”

Brown also passed a comment about Man U’s academy, which has produced rising stars like Jude and Kobbie Mainoo.

 “He has come in and he’s done what he does at United. He is very calm, wants the ball anywhere, not afraid to play it forward and get involved and run forward into areas.

“If you are a United fan, you wanted him in there from the beginning but I think Gareth [Southgate] has seen that performance and gone ‘I’ve got a player’.

“He’s very comfortable and he’s very different to [Conor] Gallagher in that sense. I think he settled England, he’s got a nice rhythm with [Declan] Rice in there and it’s working better with Kobbie rather than Gallagher.”

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