Jude Bellingham: Man City boss Pep Guardiola ‘cannot believe’ level of 17-year-old Dortmund star

Bellingham had given his side the lead before Man City turned the tie around in the second half to reach the semi-finals

Pep Guardiola said he “cannot believe” Jude Bellingham’s performances at age 17 after the Borussia Dortmund midfielder impressed again despite their 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League.

Bellingham became the second-youngest player to score in a Champions League knockout game when he opened the scoring against City on Wednesday, following his standout display at the Etihad in last week’s first-leg.

The England midfielder, who joined the German side from Birmingham City last summer, also became the second player to reach 10 Champions League appearances before turning 18 and is set to play a key role in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 plans.

Asked about Bellingham’s displays at age 17, Guardiola joked, “Maybe he’s a liar!” before heaping praise on the England international.

“He’s so good for 17 years old, I cannot believe it. He’s a fantastic player,” Guardiola said.

“There was one moment when he didn’t get the ball from central defenders, how he shouts and demands that ball to him at 17 means a lot.

“I spoke with his manager, Edin [Terzic], and he told me what you see in these two games is like every training session. They have a huge talent.”

Terzic also spoke highly of his midfielder following the match.

“The only thing that we don’t know about Jude is his limit,” Terzic said. “He has so much potential, so much talent, and he’s a great, great boy who wants to improve.

“This is the thing we have to find out, where is the limit, and we are going to try and push him to the limit. Tonight the whole world saw what he can do.”