“There’s a lot of walking” - When Jude Bellingham commented on Carragher picking Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane in Team of the Year
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham was not impressed by Jamie Carragher's 2023 Team of the Year pick in January earlier this year. He felt that the front three of Lionel Messi, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe didn't offer enough energy to the team.
Speaking on CBS Sports, Carragher named his Team of the Year and picked Messi, Mbappe and Kane as his three attackers. He said:
"Look at that front three. I mean, could you ever pick a better front three than that? You've got Mbappe, the best player in the world right now. You've got Messi."
Bellingham, who was also on the show, was asked to comment on the team. He was not impressed by the frontline, saying:
"Don't know if there's enough energy in there. There's a lot of walking."
Carragher and CBS anchor Kate Scott picked Mike Maignan, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kim Min-jae, John Stones, Theo Hernandez, Kevin De Bruyne, Declan Rice, and Jamal Musiala in their squad, along with the aforementioned front three.
Jude Bellingham went on to pick the team named by former footballers Alex Scott and Micah Richards. The former English defenders picked Alisson, Di Lorenzo, Virgil van Dijk, William Saliba, Dimarco, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Pedri, Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland and Vinicius Jr in their XI.
Jude Bellingham backed to rival Kylian Mbappe as Fabio Capello picks next Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate
Fabio Capello claimed earlier this year that Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham will now replace the rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He believes the Englishman is an all-rounder and can rival his Real Madrid teammate for the biggest individual honors in the sport, telling MARCA (via GOAL):
"No, no, and Bellingham. For me the two footballers who are going to fight like Messi and Cristiano did are Mbappé and Bellingham. He is a very complete player, he knows how to do everything. He does many things and he does them at a very high level, his quality is enormous.
"There are complete players but at a medium or high level, but Bellingham is complete at a very high level, capable of making a difference. He does things you can't imagine... Some passes he makes, some moves he makes are unique."
Jude Bellingham has been in fine form for Real Madrid, while Kylian Mbappe is trying to settle in at Santiago Bernabeu. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi is enjoying his time at Inter Miami and helped them win the MLS Supporters' Shield this season.