Celta Vigo coach Rafa Benitez isn't surprised by Jude Bellingham's impact at Real Madrid.

Benitez says at €105m, Bellingham is simply living up to expectations.

Ahead of their weekend clash, Benitez said: “I have friends in Birmingham and I knew his brother (Jobe), who has now gone to Sunderland, and we followed his career.

"He was a player who was already seen to have potential. Sure, when you're paying a hundred-odd million for a player, he's got to be good. When you pay 45 million for 19-year-old players like Vinícius and Rodrygo, well, you already know that you are signing something that is going to be good.

"That is the advantage that teams with the ability to spend have. Even if they are wrong, it is the same, another will arrive who will do it well and we will talk about him."

On facing Real, Benitez also said: “At the age of 13 I already played for Real Madrid. I spent many years as a footballer and then as a coach. Later, I returned in another stage. Of course it is a special match. Real Madrid is a great club. It has a great coach (Carlo Ancelotti) and that is one of the keys. It would be necessary to give him continuity for many years because he does it very well and knows how to manage a squad."