Carlo Ancelotti reckons there is one player in the world better than Jude Bellingham right now – and avoids tricky Kylian Mbappe question

Jude Bellingham might just be the best player in the world right now but with Carlo Ancelotti, he's got to make do with second.

That's going to raise an eyebrow - even if it doesn't make the Real Madrid boss' shift a milimetre.

The English midfielder was in thrilling form again as Los Blancos beat title rivals Girona 4-0.

Bellingham grabbed two goals on the night, first rounding the goalkeeper after being put through by a sensational Vinicius Jr pass.

More incredible play from the Brazilian, with incredible touch-tight control, then saw the 19-year-old tuck home a rebound.

But before the hour-mark he was withdrawn due to an ankle issue.

And after the stunning triumph, which puts them five points clear, superlatives were being flung round like confetti.

One reporter offered up Vinicius Jr as the best player in the world right now - and who can blame him given his scintilating form.

And he asked the legendary Italian coach who would come after.

Ancelotti replied: "Bellingham and the third Rodrygo. Fourth, Kroos… Being on the Madrid bench today was very comfortable."

Kylian Mbappe is now being heavily linked with a transfer to Real Madrid as they seem set to build another era-defing team of outrageous talents.

The deal could pocket the Paris Saint-Germain star a pretty penny too - not bad work if you can get it.

But Ancelotti remained coy on the thought, despite a reporter trying to catch him off guard.

Queried about where Mbappe would be in his list of the best, he laughed: "That player belongs to another team."

Nice try, amigo.