PEP GUARDIOLA admits he has a huge headache over how to stop Jude Bellingham.

Manchester City and Real Madrid will face each other for the third year in a row, this time in the round of 16 of the Champions League.

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But this time City have to deal with Bellingham. Asked about the Three Lions star, Guardiola said: “The impact has been huge.

“It’s a different team than last season. His influence is clear, we have to try to discover what he does and keep it under control.”

The Euro heavyweights have met in the semi-finals the past two years.

Madrid went on to win the competition in 2022, with City lifting the trophy for the first time last season.

Bellingham, however, brings a new dimension: the England ace has scored 20 goals in 31 games for Madrid since joining from Borussia Dortmund last summer.

The first leg will take place on April 9 at the Santiago Bernabeu, the same evening that Arsenal host Bayern Munich.

The return matches are on April 17. And there is no delay for the winners: they will play against each other in the semi-finals!

While Guardiola’s men are defending champions, the City boss knows they are still rookies compared to their Spanish rivals.

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Real have won the Champions League in five of the past ten seasons.

Guardiola added: “It seems a bit of a tradition to play against the kings of the competition three years in a row.

“Now that they have won 14 Champions Leagues, there is no need to say how Real Madrid are performing in this competition.

“It’s a bit new for us. For Real Madrid it is not special to play the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

“Over the last few years we have been consistent – ​​often semi-finals, finals, now quarter-finals again – and we are getting into this routine in the latter stages.

“And when you play the latter stages, you are playing against the best teams in Europe, Real Madrid are right there.

“This one is special and makes you feel like you are going to Europe and playing your best football. It is so nice.”

In the other half of the draw, Jadon Sancho’s Borussia Dortmund put Atletico Madrid into the quarter-finals, while Paris Saint-Germain took on Barcelona.

JUDE BELLINGHAM has seen allegations that he called Mason Greenwood a “rapist” dismissed.

LaLiga has launched an investigation into Bellingham’s apparent defamation of Greenwood during Real Madrid’s match with Getafe last month.

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It came after the Real Madrid and England star landed a blistering tackle on the on-loan Manchester United player and appeared to take a swipe at him.

Getafe asked match referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea to record the incident in his match report, after which it was referred to the Spanish Football Association.

A lip-reading expert was called in by LaLiga to determine whether the 20-year-old used the word unquestionably.

However, Marca now report that the investigation was dismissed after it could not be clearly proven whether Bellingham said “rapist” or “crap.”

Because the use of the word could not be convincingly proven, the case was dismissed.

Greenwood, 22, was loaned out to Getafe in September, seven months after charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive control were dropped.

A source exclusively told The Sun last month how Greenwood wanted to drop the case against Bellingham.

They said: ‘Mason has told them he does not want Jude to be punished and has asked them to drop the case.

“He doesn’t want bad publicity and wants to continue playing football.

“He was very upset at the time because he didn’t expect this from someone like Jude.

‘But he knows there’s a good chance he’ll always have one goal for things like that, so he’s accepted that he needs a thick skin.

Greenwood has settled in Spain with his partner and baby after scoring eight goals with five assists in 26 games.

JUDE BELLINGHAM was involved in a rare gesture at the end of Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig yesterday.

The draw was enough to send Madrid through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after they won the first leg 1-0.

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After the final whistle, Bellingham ran towards RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose.

They exchanged a hug before Bellingham gave the manager his jersey as a memento of the match.

The two worked together during Bellingham’s time at Dortmund, with Rose leaving the club in 2022.

The midfielder followed Rose out of Dortmund a year later when he moved to Real Madrid for £115 million last summer.

Fans on both boys.”

Another wrote: “What Bellingham did with his old coach is like a bromance!”

A third wrote: “I love the bond between the two of them.”

While a fourth said: “Memories.”

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Rose’s team led Madrid closely despite being unpleasant at the Bernabeu.

After acquitting themselves well in the first leg and narrowly losing, Leipzig created the majority of the chances during the match in Spain.

But it was Madrid who opened the scoring through Vinicius in the 65th minute against the rules.

Leipzig equalized in the 68th minute through Willi Orban, but could not find a second that would have taken the match to extra time.

MASON Greenwood wants an investigation into whether Jude Bellingham called him a ‘rapist’.

Real Madrid’s Bellingham appeared to take a swipe after tackling the Getafe player this month.

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Spanish footie bosses launched an investigation which could see England star Bellingham 20 handed a ban.

But a source said: “Mason has told them he does not want Jude to be punished and has asked them to drop the punishment.

“He doesn’t want bad publicity and wants to continue playing football.

“He was very upset at the time because he didn’t expect this from someone like Jude.

‘But he knows there’s a good chance he’ll always have one goal for things like that, so he’s accepted that he needs a thick skin.

Greenwood, 22, was loaned out by Man United last September after bosses ruled he had to rebuild his career away from Old Trafford – despite charges of attempted rape, assault and controlling behavior being dropped.

He has settled Spain with his partner and baby and is being chased by Barcelona after scoring seven goals with five assists in 25 league games.

United’s minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe appeared to open the door to a return last week, saying: “The process will be to understand the facts, not the hype, and then come to a fair decision based on values – which basically means: ‘Is he a good guy or not?’.”

NOAH OHIO will look to his best friend Jude Bellingham for inspiration as he looks to finally shine in English football.

The 21-year-old striker received a text message from the England midfielder straight after his first Hull goal sealed a 2-1 midweek win over Rotherham.

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The loan signing from Standard Liege in January knows he has a lot to do to match £115million star Bellingham's 20 goals for Real Madrid this season.

But Ohio said, “He's someone to look up to. He helps when he can, gives me advice. He's on top of the world, but still so grounded and a humble guy.

“His text said: congratulations and well rounded – but I still need a few more to catch up!

“He's the best in the world, but to me he's just Jude. He's been my best friend for four or five years now. We played for England Under-16s and we came close.

“It's been fun to see his growth. I'm really proud: he's a superstar.”

Holland Under-21s chief executive Ohio added: “You know it's possible because your friend is there.

“So anything is possible and everyone's journey is different.

“He tells me to stay focused, don't look left or right, it's your own journey and your own path. Don't compare and keep going. The more focused you are, the more success you will achieve.

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“He's very happy for me when I do well, just like I am when he scores every week.”

Ohio was signed by Manchester United at the age of 12, but left for City's academy derby rivals in 2016.

Three years later he turned down a professional deal with Pep Guardiola in the hope of getting more first-team opportunities elsewhere.

He joined RB Leipzig but struggled there and at Vitesse, Austria Vienna and Standard as he tried to establish himself.

Ohio craves a taste of the Prem, but doesn't view its past as unfinished business.

He said: “I chose to go abroad when I was very young and I had to make a decision for myself. I am very grateful to both clubs.

“I've had a great time and most of my friends are playing in the Championship or the Premier League and doing so well.

“I hope to follow myself and make a name for myself in England. I think the ambition of all boys is to play as high as possible.

'Now it is the right project to return to England. I wouldn't have come back if I didn't feel like it was the right time.

Eighth-placed Hull go to 20th-placed Huddersfield today and Ohio said it was a 'no-brainer' when Tigers boss Liam Rosenior called.

He added: “The manager, the style of play and the owners have really impressed me.

“Any young player that Hull City wants, when he has the conversation, he will be sold immediately because there is a clear project.”

JUDE BELLINGHAM thinks Phil Foden could find himself in a position that very few people would expect.

The Real Madrid superstar has tipped his England teammate to take up a job as a footballer KEELER.

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Foden, who is often deployed as a winger or attacking midfielder, was not exactly convinced of his qualities as a shot-stopper.

The pair, along with Aaron Ramsdale, chose their ultimate English 5-a-side teams for the YouTube channel Three Lions.

And when choosing who they would have in net, Bellingham suggested Foden would be a good goalkeeper for his team.

The 20-year-old said: “I think Phil [Foden] would be strangely good in net.

“Just really active, like just jumping around and stuff. I think he would be good in the net.”

But the Man City star was quick to explain that Bellingham was mistaken and pointed to his 6ft 4in height as the main reason why he struggled through the sick.

He said: “Me? Me being a good goalkeeper? I don't know where he got that from, [I would] probably chipped all the time.

“Yes, I have never played in goal, I never wanted to. So I'm not sure what Jude is [Bellingham] that is being talked about.”

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Although Bellingham appeared to be joking about his proposal to let his compatriot don gloves, Foden is in the middle of a midfield selection dilemma for the national team.

Gareth Southgate has the difficult task of deciding which midfield he will work with in Germany this summer.

Many fans and pundits are calling for Foden to play in midfield alongside Declan Rice and Bellingham.

While others believe the 23-year-old is better suited on the wing and can play electric up top alongside Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka.

Foden has scored eight goals and seven assists in 23 Premier League appearances for Man City this season, playing mainly as a winger under Pep Guardiola.

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JUDE BELLINGHAM and Real Madrid are left stunned after his 'rapist' taunt against Mason Greenwood has been forwarded to the Spanish Football Federation.

The England midfielder was accused of insulting Greenwood two weeks ago in Real's match against Getafe, who filed an official complaint with LaLiga.

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Now the league has referred the dispute to the competition committee of the RFEF, the country's federation.

They are now appointing a judge to fully investigate the claim and he will decide within the proceedings next one two weeks or Bellingham will be punished.

If the incident is found guilty and deemed 'serious' it would be a four-match ban, but if it is deemed 'serious' it could carry a penalty of up to TEN GAMES.

Both Real and Getafe would have ten days to appeal the decision.

Real and Bellingham are surprised that LaLiga, which studied video evidence of him saying a word to Greenwood, has decided to involve the football federation despite unclear evidence.

Getafe are convinced Bellingham called Greenwood a 'rapist', but there is another theory that he told the on-loan Manchester United striker he was 'rubbish'.

Responding to the allegation against Bellingham, LaLiga said: “It should also be reported that after the end of the match, reports were detected via social media regarding a possible incident in which visiting player Jude Bellingham allegedly assaulted local player Mason Greenwood in English insulted after an action.” in the game.

“Numerous media outlets have reported on this incident, as confirmed in the attached incident report.”

Getafe chief Jose Bordales launched an impassioned defense of the Manchester United loanee after the alleged incident.

He said, “I know the same as you. It's not up to me, it's the club, LaLiga and the Federation who have to judge it.

“All I can say is that I ask respect for Mason Greenwood because he is a great guy.

“He is a man who respects everyone and exhibits exemplary behavior.”

Bellingham is currently injured due to an ankle problem he suffered against Girona last weekend.

SKY SPORTS pundits Danny Mills and Lee Hendrie were involved in a tasty debate over Jude Bellingham potentially playing for Manchester City.

The twenty-year-old English midfielder has had a great first season at Real Madrid and scored 20 goals and eight assists in 29 appearances.

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Bellingham's incredible form has made him arguably the best midfielder in the world, although former Man City defender Mills does not believe Pep Guardiola would want to sign him at the moment.

During a recent edition of Sky's Football Specialhe said: “If you were to offer Bellingham to Pep now, I'm not sure he would take it.

“Because he doesn't fit in that midfield.”

Mills' claim left former Aston Villa midfielder Hendrie absolutely stunned, with the 46-year-old saying: “What a bad shout that was.

“Wouldn't you like Bellingham by his side?”

Mills refused to back down and insisted Bellingham would not displace any of City's current midfielders despite his crazy debut season at the Bernabeu.

He hit back: 'But he didn't want that. Who would you put it in instead?'

Hendrie replied: “He was looking forward to it [Ilkay Gundogan in his side where he goes and plays forward.”

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That prompted Mills to ask: “But would he play ahead of [Phil] Foden, [Kevin] De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva? Would Pep buy it? Does he need it?”

Hendrie continued to fight his corner by saying, “Bellingham is one of the best players in the world.”

An impassioned Mills then said of Guardiola, who once praised Bellingham as the 'whole package': 'He has incredible balance in midfield.

“He doesn't play for Kevin de Bruyne, who we just said is the best midfielder in the world.”

Hendrie quickly backtracked on the idea that he thinks Bellingham would relegate De Bruyne to the bench

“I'm not saying he does,” he said. “I say he plays on that team.”

Hendrie was left perplexed after Mills then claimed Guardiola would not fall either Rodri or Silva to face Bellingham, asking, “Don't you think so?”

That question prompted Mills to simply say: “Not the way City play.”

However, Hendrie refused to back down and insisted Bellingham would be in “any team” before jokingly claiming he would even let him “play in goal”.

Bellingham will miss Real's trip to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday due to the ankle injury he suffered in Los Blancos' 4-0 win over Girona last Saturday, in which he scored a brace.

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Hij is pas 19 jaar oud, maar Jude Bellingham zou de duurste Britse voetballer in de geschiedenis kunnen worden na het tekenen van een deal met Real Madrid ter waarde van 113 miljoen pond.

Zijn transfer naar de Spaanse reuzen is het hoogtepunt van een ongelooflijke stijging, die begon toen hij op slechts 16-jarige leeftijd de jongste speler ooit van Birmingham City werd.

En de tiener-superster heeft zeker een zeer ondersteunende familie te danken voor zijn succes met ouders Mark en Denise aan zijn zijde bij elke stap.

De liefhebbende vader Mark, 47, is de manager van Jude – en bemiddelde de deal met Real Madrid voor Jude, waarbij hij optrad als tussenpersoon tussen de Spaanse club en Borussia Dortmund.

Ondertussen heeft Jude gezegd dat zijn moeder Denise, 54, de sleutel tot zijn succes is, en noemde hem haar een ‘koningin’.

Ook aan zijn zijde is zijn glamoureuze influencer-vriendin Asantewa Chitty, 22, die vorig jaar met het wonderkind begon te daten, en broer Jobe, 17, die in de voetsporen van zijn broer treedt als profvoetballer.

Denise, evenals Mark, fungeerden als een basiskracht voor de middenveldster terwijl zijn vroege carrière naar de hoogten van het wereldvoetbal schoot.

‘De rol die mijn moeder speelt is gigantisch. Ik denk dat het op dit moment waarschijnlijk de grootste rol van iedereen is, waarschijnlijk zelfs meer dan mijn coaches en managers, om eerlijk te zijn’, zei hij in december.

In 2020 tekende Bellingham voor Borussia Dortmund voor £ 22,5 miljoen na een ontsnappingsseizoen met Championship en jeugdploeg Birmingham City.

Bellingham was al zo geliefd bij de club uit Birmingham en de rest van de stad, maar Bellingham had zijn rugnummer 22 met pensioen, ondanks dat hij slechts 44 wedstrijden voor de club speelde in een prille carrière.

Maar Birmingham’s liefde en bewondering voor Bellingham is begrijpelijk nadat hij vorig jaar opviel als een van de beste spelers van Engeland tijdens het WK.

Er wordt zelfs een brug in Birmingham vernoemd naar de ontsnappingsster.

Maar waar anderen hun hoofd hadden kunnen verliezen en van de baan waren geraakt door de lof en roem, heeft Bellingham dankzij zijn ouders de focus behouden.

Denise, die op personeelszaken werkt, en zijn vader Mark, een voormalig politie-sergeant en non-league voetballer, waren er zeker van dat hun zoon aan de grond zou blijven.

In 2020, toen Denise met Bellingham naar Duitsland verhuisde, liet ze Mark achter, die bij hun andere zoon Jobe bleef – ook een profvoetballer voor Sunderland.

Zowel Bellingham als zijn moeder Denise wonen nog steeds samen in een flat, waar ze zijn bed opmaakt en hem soms naar de training brengt.

Denise beheert ook de financiële zaken van haar zoon, waardoor hij zich op het voetbal kan concentreren en niet wordt afgeleid door het prestige en de hebzucht die de carrières van veel jonge voetballers kunnen laten ontsporen.

Maar Bellingham heeft ook veel van zijn succes op het veld te danken aan zijn vader Mark, een gepensioneerde non-league voetballer.

Hoewel Bellingham toegaf dat hij later Wayne Rooney begon te verafgoden, was het de actie van Bellingham senior op het veld die hem tot zijn eerste voetbalheld maakte.

Mark scoorde meer dan 700 doelpunten in ongeveer 900 optredens, wat hem het prestige opleverde van een Engelse non-league Pelé.

Hij jongleerde met stints in clubs als Leamington, Stourbridge en Sutton Coldfield Town met zijn dagelijkse baan als sergeant bij de politie van West Midlands.

Hun vader hing zijn laarzen op 41-jarige leeftijd in 2017 op en zou met pensioen zijn gegaan bij de politie. Hij weigert de prestaties van zijn zoon te bespreken.

Jude vertelde The Guardian in 2020 hoe zijn moeder Denise hem meenam om zijn vader te zien spelen: ‘Daar begon ik die liefde voor voetbal te krijgen. Ik denk dat je aan de manier waarop ik speel kunt zien dat ik de wedstrijd van jongs af aan heb gezien.

‘Die non-league stijl van taaiheid en gruizig zijn wanneer dat nodig is… Ik denk dat dat voortkomt uit het kijken naar mijn vader die speelt – ook al tackelde hij nooit!’

Jim Scott, voorzitter van Leamington FC, omschreef Jude’s vader als een ‘doelmachine’ en voegde eraan toe: ‘Er was veel vraag naar hem, een goede speler die buitengewoon toegewijd was, vooral als je kijkt naar zijn veeleisende carrière. [He] had op een hoger niveau kunnen spelen. Je kunt zien waar Jude zijn talent vandaan haalt.’

Sprekend over zijn vader aan de FA in een interview, zei Bellingham: ‘We praten over voetbalhelden, en mijn vader was als mijn eerste.

“Als je hem elke week ziet spelen in niet-League, weet je dat het niet de Premier League is of zoiets, maar gezien de manier waarop hij speelde en de sfeer, werd ik verliefd op voetbal, dus hij was waarschijnlijk mijn eerste.” held.

‘Na de eerste paar keer dat ik ging, begon ik wat meer aandacht te besteden aan de wedstrijden en dat soort dingen, de sfeer en hij maakt goals, dus je ziet hem feesten en dat soort dingen – dat wil je dat ik ben.

‘Toen ik opgroeide, gaf hij me altijd tips over wat ik kon doen en nu komt het op een bepaalde leeftijd en het draait een beetje om en dat is geweldig, want we hebben zo’n relatie als vader en zoon en toen ik ouder werd, zoals coach en speler.’

Ondertussen heeft Jude ook Instagram-model Asantewa Chitty aan zijn zijde.

Het paar is naar verluidt sinds vorig jaar aan het daten, met bronnen die The Sun vertellen: ‘Ze is ook erg enthousiast over hem. Ze is opgewonden om te zien waar dit naartoe gaat.’

Met 23.000 volgers deelt de beginnende influencer vaak kiekjes van glamoureuze avondjes uit en reizen naar exotische bestemmingen.

De Britse schoonheid, vermoedelijk afkomstig uit Portsmouth, houdt van kunst en heeft onlangs zonovergoten reizen gemaakt naar Italië en Griekenland.

Ze heeft ook foto’s van feesten in Parijs gedeeld, evenals uitstapjes naar Duitsland – waar Bellingham is gevestigd.