Jude Bellingham hails ‘fantastic’ Harry Kane ahead of Champions League showdown

Jude Bellingham praised England team-mate Harry Kane as a “fantastic player” ahead of their Champions League meeting on Wednesday.

Bellingham’s Real Madrid are preparing for a quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, where Kane will be looking to continue his stellar season for the German club.

Kane is also currently the second highest goalscorer in this season’s Champions League, behind only Kylian Mbappe with 11 goals to the Real striker’s 14, and has a total of 49 in 40 Bayern appearances over the campaign.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s game, Bellingham was full of praise for his England colleague with this summer’s World Cup also on the horizon.

Asked if Kane is favourite to win the Ballon d’Or, Bellingham told a press conference: “It will depend a lot on the team’s achievements and what he does with England. He’s a fantastic player.

“They’re going to win the Bundesliga, and it hurts because my brother (Jobe Bellingham) plays for Dortmund.

“It’s a source of pride to have him in the English national team and in these last two or three years, he’s shown how good he is.

“He’s improved; he’s a brilliant striker and it’s a pleasure to watch him play. Let’s see if he can take this style of play to the World Cup.

“Tomorrow, I hope he doesn’t show up, or that we’re able to stop him.”