Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham posts classy message to Odin Bailey after seeing ex-Birmingham City team-mate dent Wrexham's League Two title bid with stunning goal for Stockport

Bailey took to Instagram after scoring a sensational 85th-minute goal against AFC Wimbledon that secured a crucial 1-0 victory for Stockport on Monday - further bolstering their chances of clinching promotion to League One. The Hatters have opened up a four-point lead over second and third-placed Mansfield and Wrexham, who are only separated by goal difference, and are now within sight of the League Two title heading into their final six matches.

"Now that felt good! Another step closer," the 24-year-old striker wrote, encapsulating the team's collective joy and determination.

In a heartwarming exchange, Real Madrid superstar Bellingham, who once shared the field with Bailey during their time at Birmingham City, responded to the striker's post with praise for his former team-mate's spectacular goal.

"Been seeing that finish hit that top bin for years man 🤣😮‍💨😮‍💨," Bellingham wrote.

The camaraderie between Bellingham and Bailey dates back to their days in Birmingham City's academy, where they honed their skills side by side. While they featured just five times together with the senior squad, their bond only grew stronger with time.

However, their paths diverged as Bailey departed Birmingham City to embark on a loan spell at Forest Green Rovers. Meanwhile, Bellingham's meteoric rise saw him sign for Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2020, before eventually securing a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2023.

Although their professional careers took different trajectories, the bond between Bellingham and Bailey remains a testament to the enduring friendships formed in the world of football. The England international will be back in action for Real Madrid against Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 9. Bailey, meanwhile, is gearing up for Stockport's next League Two outing against Sutton United on April 6.