“He’s mocking the Champions League.” That’s how BT Sport pundit and former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand described Jude Bellingham’s performance against favourites Manchester City on Wednesday night.
City may have come from behind to reach the final four, but in the first half Bellingham was influential in a midfield surrounded by world-class creators 10 years his senior.
The Englishman, who had a goal unfairly chalked off in the first leg, opened the scoring in the second. He picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and confidently curled it into the roof of the net.
It made the midfielder, born in 2003, a younger Champions League goalscorer than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
But he is about so much more than goals. As Wednesday night's coverage rounded off, in reference to both Bellingham and Phil Foden, former England midfielder Owen Hargeaves said "the future is so bright for England, I just hope they get picked in the team this summer."
Easy said than done, Owen, but we're with you.
WATCH: Jude Bellingham's stunning opener
to make Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 squad in the summer, better odds than Jack Grealish.
for the first game against Croatia at Wembley on June 13.
England have an embarrassment of riches in the centre of the park, which explains those odds, but what he has proved on this two-legged tie is that he will certainly would not be out of his depth in a few months' time.
Midfielders to start England's first game at Euro 2020 ()
- Mason Mount - 1/5
- Declan Rice - 2/7
- Phil Foden - 6/5
- Kalvin Phillips - 5/4
- Jordan Henderson - 11/8
- Jack Grealish - 5/2
- Jesse Lingard - 3/1
- Jude Bellingham - 5/1
And looking at the list of players in front of him in the betting, arguably none have played at such a high level, in such high level competition, in the number 8 role he occupies. Most are either more attacking, more defensive, or don't play Champions League football.
Looking beyond this summer, Wednesday night really did offer reasons to be optimistic as an England supporter.
It was apt that after Bellingham netted the opener, 20-year-old Phil Foden struck the winner.
It's mouthwatering to think where Jude could be in three years' time.
