Jude Bellingham brought crashing down to earth ahead of Real Madrid clash with Sevilla

Ahead of Real Madrid's La Liga showdown with Sevilla on Saturday night, Bellingham has been nothing short of outstanding.

He's already scored 10 goals from as many appearances for Los Blancos, clocking up three assists along the way.

And Bellingham was terrific for England in midweek, playing a key role as they beat Italy 3-1 at Wembley in their Euro 2024 qualifier.

Right now, he looks unstoppable.

Bellingham is earning plaudits left, right and centre - with the youngster taking it all in his stride.

He opted to turn down Liverpool and Manchester City back in the summer in order to join Real - and wear the No 5 shirt made famous by Zinedine Zidane.

But that decision has paid off with Bellingham rapidly establishing himself as one of the best players in world football.

Rooney thinks the England star will skipper his country in the future.

But the Birmingham boss has also warned that Bellingham will endure a dip in form - and wants people to stand by and support the Real midfielder when he does.

“He’s on such a good run of form and what’s important is that when [his form dips], and it will dip at some point, we don’t kill him and we get behind him and stick with him," said the Manchester United icon.

“It happens to all players and it will happen to Jude. We’ve seen it with Marcus [Rashford] and Raheem [Sterling] as well.

"Jude has got the potential to be one of, if not the best, if he carries on the way he is going, so I think we really have to support him because in my eyes he’s the future captain of England.

“We need to protect him and really look at him as the future of England. He just needs to keep [doing] what he’s doing and stay focused.

“He’s only 20 but already he has the career of a 24- or 25-year-old with the big games that he has played and the number of games he’s played.”

Real go into their match against Sevilla looking to continue their strong start to the La Liga season.

They have won eight of their nine matches so far to sit top of the table.

Real are two points clear of second-placed Girona, while they're also three ahead of fierce rivals and defending champions Barcelona.

Many English football fans would love to see Bellingham playing in the Premier League one day.

Yet the youngster said after England's win over Italy that he was eyeing a long stint at Real.

"I am getting a little better each time I play," said the former Birmingham City star.

"It was a really good night for us, we all remember what happened a few years ago when they played us here [in the Euro 2020 final, which England lost on penalties].

"You always aim for progression. We are heading in the right direction and a very important win for us.

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"I am loving football at the minute. My management at club and country are giving me freedom to play it how I see it.

"Since the last few months I have been really working on my timing getting into the box and as I am arriving I am arriving with a big hunger.

"With the big transfer the fact is I have to deliver, whether it is a goal or assist or a match-winning performance.

"This is the club I want to be at for the next 10 to 15 years of my life. I am loving it there.

"Carlo [Ancelotti] basically said this position is where he sees me."

When asked whether playing alongside the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric had improved his game, he added: "One hundred per cent.

"When you are around those mentalities and quality of players every day, it takes you to a new level mentally, physically and technically."