Football fan Usain Bolt has praised Jude Bellingham’s impact at Real Madrid and challenged Kylian Mbappe to show him how fast he is over 100 metres.
Former sprinter Bolt met Bellingham on the red carpet ahead of the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid on Monday, where the England midfielder won the World Breakthrough of the Year prize.
The pair re-enacted Bellingham’s open arms goal celebration, which was seen again on Sunday after a stoppage time El Clasico winner against Barcelona.
It was Bellingham’s 21st goal of an extraordinary first season in Madrid, which could yet end up with a LaLiga and Champions League double for the 20-year-old.
“I think he’s impressed a lot of people, not just me,” said Bolt, a keen footballer.
“Coming into Real Madrid we expected great things from him. But he’s stepped up to a level that we didn’t expect him to be this great.
“He’s shown his young talent that he will be among the top footballers throughout his career.
“It’s a pleasure to meet him and just have a conversation with him.
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“The young generation is really stepping up, so big up to the Jude.”
Jamaican sprinter Bolt, now 37, won eight Olympic gold medals in a glittering career on the track and remains the world record holder over 100 and 200 metres.
He was asked about Mbappe’s pace, with the France forward recognised as one of the quickest players in world football.
Bolt said: “I would love to have competed with Mbappe in my prime to see how close he would be (to him).
“I feel one day he just needs to run 100 metres and let me see the time.”
Bolt says he will be at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer and is “excited to see everything”.
He said: “I’m keen to have an all-access pass to everything. Anything I can do on that day I will be doing it. I’ll be like a kid in a candy store.
“But I’ll definitely be at the track on the days of the 100 and 200 metres finals.”
::The 25th Laureus World Sports Awards took place on Monday, April 22 in Madrid, celebrating the leading names in sport from across the globe. To find out more, visit www.laureus.com.