Manchester United star Jadon Sancho has sent a message to Jude Bellingham after the midfielder’s Borussia Dortmund team were stunned by Rangers in the Europa League knockout play-offs.
Dortmund travelled to Ibrox for the second leg of their tie with the Scottish champions, having suffered a surprising 4-2 defeat in the first leg at their Signal Iduna Park home. Only then to draw 2-2 with the Scottish champions in the return fixture.
Bellingham started both legs of the tie, excelling in the two games, as he continues to make his mark as one of the most exciting midfielders in Europe, despite being just 18-years-old.
The Englishman has starred for Dortmund since joining the Bundesliga club from Birmingham City and played alongside Sancho last season in what was the winger’s final campaign in Germany.
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The duo helped the Black and Yellow to win the DFB-Pokal last season, their first major trophy for three years.
Sancho clearly still holds his former club team-mate in high regard, though the two are still team-mates on the international stage with England.
And Sancho was left salivating once again by Bellingham’s performance at Ibrox, despite Dortmund being knocked out of the Europa League.
James Tavernier had put the hosts ahead on the night with a penalty, before Bellingham got his side back into the tie.
The Englishman took advantage of Connor Goldson’s fluffed clearance to slot the ball coolly past Allan McGregor.
He was heavily involved 11 minutes later, flicking the ball brilliantly onto Donyell Malen who fired in from close range.
Bellingham’s impressive display followed on from his performance in the first leg, when he also scored once and assisted another.
And one spectator made his admiration of the young midfielder clear following his starring performance.
“Jude Bellingham, what a player,” United winger Sancho tweeted during the game.
Despite Bellingham’s best efforts, he was unable to drag his side into the round of 16, with Tavernier taking advantage of a hashed Mats Hummels clearance to hand his side a 6-4 aggregate win.
It was a heavily disappointing night for Dortmund, who had been knocked out of the Champions League already this season, and Bellingham admitted it was tough to take.
“We couldn't do it, so it is what it is. I think it was the worst time for half-time to come,” Bellingham told BT Sport.
“Our momentum was gone. We came out and didn't really have that bite in the first-half when we were going forward.
“It's one of those nights where we didn't take all of our chances and they took theirs, so fair play to them.
“It's a massive disappointment. I feel like we've let the fans down and let the staff down. They've put a lot into us to try and win the tie. We've let ourselves down as well.
“We could have done more. If we look at ourselves in the mirror tonight and before the next game, we'll realise we could have done more over the two legs. That's the thing that kills you in football.”
