Former Real Madrid president urges Los Blancos target to replicate Cristiano Ronaldo and embrace opportunity to join La Liga giants

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has urged Jude Bellingham to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo and join the Madrid giants. Calderon claimed that Ronaldo understood that joining Los Blancos would give him great exposure.

Bellingham is one of the hottest midfield prospects in the world at the moment and has been heavily linked with a move to the Spanish capital. Speaking about the Englishman, Calderon told Sky Sports:

“Everybody who comes here knows what it means to be a Real Madrid player. I always say that those players like Cristiano, [Luka] Modric, Vinicius – all of them give a lot to us, but Real Madrid gives much more to them. I experienced that with Cristiano when I signed him, I told him how important it would be for him to be here."

Calderon also discussed the prestige that comes with representing Real Madrid. He added:

"He realised that, because you can get personal goals, collective goals, your prestige goes up very much. Everyone is thinking that a player coming to Real Madrid has got to the top and the prestige of the club is amazing. Being linked to this club is always something important. Bellingham has a great opportunity to come here."

Cristiano Ronaldo joined Los Blancos in 2009 and scored 450 goals in 438 matches, winning four UEFA Champions League trophies.

Bellingham, 19, could go on to become a legend at Los Blancos if he decides to join the La Liga giants. With Toni Kroos and Luka Modric approaching the tail ends of their careers, the team needs a new midfield core. Bellingham could be part of the most exciting young midfield in the world alongside Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Federico Valverde.

Cristiano Ronaldo helped Real Madrid compete with Barcelona in Spanish football

When Cristiano Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in 2009, Barcelona were the dominant force in Spanish football. With Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Carles Puyol, and more in their ranks, the team was flourishing under Pep Guardiola.

Ronaldo's arrival started Los Blancos' fight back against the Blaugrana. They finally won La Liga in the 2011-12 season after three successive seasons of Barca's dominance.

The Portuguese forward helped the club win the UEFA Champions League in 2017-18 before leaving the Spanish side to start a new chapter in his career at Juventus.