Explained: Where Jude Bellingham is better than Ballon d’Or winner Kaka – with Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti having worked with both

The current Blancos manager enjoyed considerable success at AC Milan when Brazilian playmaker Kaka was part of his plans – with the South American winning the 2007 Ballon d’Or. He would go on to play for Real, with Bellingham among those following in his footsteps at Santiago Bernabeu.

England international Bellingham has made a stunning impact in Spain, registering 16 goals through 18 appearances, and Ancelotti has said that the 20-year-old midfielder is the “closest” thing he has seen to a Kaka regen.

Expanding on that claim, and where Bellingham may edge above the 2002 World Cup winner, Ancelotti has said: “Kaka got into the box a lot with the ball. He didn't have as much quality to get there without the ball, like Bellingham. We play without a fixed nine and in the box there is more space to finish. With Kaka the system was different, but in general Kaka was very good on the ball and Bellingham's movement off the ball is very effective.”

Bellingham is quickly becoming a ‘Galactico’ in his own right at Real, with the Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy winner of 2023 set to be back in Champions League action against Union Berlin on Tuesday – despite managing a shoulder injury that may require surgery at some stage.