Former England attacker Joe Cole has lavished praise on Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham.
The ex-Chelsea and West Ham star spoke about the attacking midfielder after England's 3-1 win over Italy in a Euro 2024 qualifier on Tuesday.
Bellingham was outstanding in the contest, earning the man of the match award.
Post-game, Cole mentioned Bellingham and Messi in the same sentence, stating: I won't compare him to Messi but when Messi led Argentina to World Cup, he can be that type of leader, Messi at 20 wasn't that mature.
He added: Don Carlo [Ancelotti - Real Madrid boss] will be looking after him.
He has fallen on his feet with Kylian Mbappe probably turning up next year.
I can understand it, at Madrid, top of the tree, why would you come home? If you go there and win it all you might be thinking you might want to do it at home, but when you're at a top club there is no reason to leave. You are at the top of the tree."
