Jude Bellingham on Messi after the match: “I have to say, at 39 or 40 years old, to still be playing at this level is simply exceptional. People watch him on television and think they understand how good he is, but when you’re actually on the pitch against him, it’s completely different. He’s so quick over the first few yards. You think you’ve got him, then he changes direction, glides away and suddenly he’s gone. It’s almost impossible to get close enough to make a clean challenge. The way he controls the ball is honestly alien. It feels like it’s glued to his foot. Every touch has a purpose, every movement creates space and he always seems one step ahead of everyone else. I’ve never seen a player at that age move with so much intelligence and composure. Most players slow down, but Messi has found another way to dominate games. He doesn’t waste energy—he controls the tempo. If I respected Messi before tonight, I respect him even more now. Sharing the pitch with him only makes you appreciate how special he really is. He’s one of those players you study growing up, and then when you finally play against him, you realise why people call him one of the greatest of all time. He’s an exceptional footballer, and I feel privileged to have experienced that firsthand.”