Real Madrid have made their name for dramatic and adrenaline-filled comebacks in Europe over the last decade, but on Wednesday night, their victory over Manchester City stood out for its one-sided nature. The praise was flowing for Real Madrid and their stars.

Kylian Mbappe took most of the headlines, in what some were calling his ‘first big night’ at Real Madrid, taking the match ball home courtesy of a hat-trick. After the game, Jude Bellingham did have kind words for the Frenchman, but had more of them for Brazilian forward Rodrygo Goes, often thought of as the lowest profile of their star-studded attacking quartet.

“Rodrygo, you know, so underrated. For me, he’s probably the most gifted, the most talented player in the squad. The things he can do with the football, you know you’ll be messing around in training, and he’ll flick the ball up, and you’re like – ‘how did he do that?’ I’m twisting up me ankles trying to do it and everything like that.”

“I think Rodrygo, another thing to mention, he’s the one who probably sacrifices the most really. It’s pretty clear that his favourite position is the left. It’s important to note that, he does a lot for the team as well, defensively on the right side, which isn’t his favourite. But he never complains you know, he just gets on with it, and that’s the way we have to continue,” Bellingham explained to CBS Sports Golazo.

Henry, who had been praising Rodrygo’s contribution before the game, was equally complementary of Bellingham for highlighting those attributes. After the game, Carlo Ancelotti referred to the match as the best version of Real Madrid that had been seen all season, while the Italian coach would also go on to praise the work-rate not just of Rodrygo, but also of the entire front four, including Bellingham.