'From a different planet' - Jude Bellingham blown away by Luka Modric after Real Madrid superstar's stunning goal against Girona

England international Bellingham was banned for that contest, as he serves a two-match suspension on the back of the controversial red card he picked up against Osasuna for supposedly telling the match referee to “f*ck off”.

With the 21-year-old restricted to a spectator role, he took up a seat in the stands at Santiago Bernabeu alongside new girlfriend Ashlyn Castro. He was on his feet in the 41st minute of the contest in the Spanish capital, as Croatian veteran Modric opened the scoring in spectacular style.

A corner was cleared in the direction of Modric as he loitered with intent 25 yards out. The 39-year-old Ballon d’Or winner cushioned the ball on his chest before sending a stunning volley fizzing into the top corner.

Bellingham, who could only stand and applaud the scorching strike from his Madrid team-mate, posted on social media afterwards when reacting to another performance from Modric that suggests he may not be of this world: “From a different planet.”

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Modric appears to be cut from the same cloth as fellow Golden Ball winner and Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo, as he plays on towards his own 40th birthday. Bellingham, meanwhile, will be hoping to figure in a midweek Copa del Rey semi-final clash with Real Sociedad before completing his suspension in a trip to Real Betis.