Legendary Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder Claude Makelele has tipped ‘magic’ Jude Bellingham to quickly be at the pinnacle of the sport but believes the Englishman still has much to learn from his departing team-mate Toni Kroos.

Madrid go in search of a record-extending 15th Champions League title on Saturday night when they face Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men have already romped to the LaLiga title, thanks in large part to the contribution of Bellingham, who was named the league’s player of the season after recording 25 goal contributions in a blistering debut season.

The London showcase will also be the last stand – at club level – for veteran midfielder Toni Kroos, who Makelele believes should have been hailed for his ‘not normal’ talents well before announcing his decision to retire from the game.

‘We talk about Bellingham but Kroos is the daddy,’ The 51-year-old – who has partnered with FedEx – exclusively told Mail Sport. ‘Bellingham needs to learn from this guy to be really high level.

‘I’ve played in this position so I know a little bit about it and Kroos has demonstrated [his class] for all of his career but only now are we starting to talk about it.

‘It’s not normal. We don’t talk about how difficult it is to play this position, to play and make a good game. To play at different levels, keep the ball, and make plays to your team-mate.

‘He’s a manager in the squad. You have Ancelotti outside and him inside. He’s been really successful but also a good example for the players around him.’

The German has the chance to win his sixth Champions League in his final club game before attempting to claim the only trophies missing from his stacked cabinet at the home European Championships next month.

Julian Naglesmann’s side head into the tournament as one of the front runners after a positive set of results since he took the reins last September. Among most bookies, their chances are only bettered by France and England, who will be hopeful of Bellingham adding an exclamation mark to his stunning season.

‘He’s had an impact since he joined Real Madrid,’ Makelele added on the 20-year-old. ‘Everything that he has done in LaLiga, the Champions League and for the national team also.

‘No one is surprised but the way he has been progressing is like magic. Great football, competitive, leadership, scores goals – it’s so much. Too much for one player.

‘He wants people to remember him. He’s amazing. The club have need his performances.

‘He’ll be successful because he has this mentality, sometimes we say English mentality that you need to be a great player.

‘It’s about understanding your team-mates also, the way they play together to make them bigger and he’s learnt that this season.

‘I think in the next two years he’ll be one of the best player in the world.’

Makelele, who lifted the Champions League with the Blaugrana in 2002, was able to relieve his former glories ahead of the Wembley final as he excited supporters with an appearances at the fanzone in the capital before getting his hands on Ol’Big Ears to the tune of the competition’s iconic theme.

In addition to the European Cup, the midfielder won two league titles and two Spanish super cups before his move to Stamford Bridge in 2003 made him beloved in west London and feared around the world.

On these shores, his position as the screen in front of Chelsea’s defence under Jose Mourinho led to the ‘Makelele role’ becoming common parlance among football watchers.

After departing the Blues in 2008, Makelele returned to the club as a youth coach and technical mentor in 2019 before leaving by mutual consent in 2023. There should be no concern among Chelsea supporters however, Makelele’s blood is still blue.

And he spoke of his dream of seeing of old side return to their former glories as they look set to confirm the appointment of Enzo Maresca as their new boss.

‘Chelsea will always be Chelsea.’ he added. ‘But when everything changes in the club it needs time. That time makes [the players] understand the importance of working hard again.

‘That’s what you need to come back like Manchester City or Liverpool. I’m sure Chelsea will come strongly the way we were before.’

Claude Makelele was speaking at the FedEx UEFA Champions League Trophy Delivery Activation in Regents Street, London. Learn more about how the UEFA Champions League trophy is delivered by FedEx ahead of the 2024 final by visiting fedex.com/UCL