JUDE BELLINGHAM revealed he felt like Cristiano Ronaldo when firing home his instantly-iconic overhead kick against Slovakia.
But when watching it back he realised his effort was not quite as acrobatic as the Portuguese legend famously pulled off for Real Madrid in the Champions League in 2018.
5England superstar Jude Bellingham scored a wondergoal against SlovakiaCredit: Getty
5Bellingham felt like Cristiano Ronaldo after his overhead kick against Juventus in 2018Credit: Getty Images – Getty
5Bellingham praised England team-mate Marc Guehi for his assist against SlovakiaCredit: Rex
Ronaldo’s effort back then against Juventus saw him jump six feet in the air and is widely regarded as one of greatest bicycle kicks this century.
Talking through his own wonderstrike on the FA’s Diary Room show, current Real icon Bellingham said: “It was really instinct more than anything, it kind of fell in the perfect spot, it was a little bit behind me.
“When I was in the air, I thought, ‘My God, I’m like, six feet off the ground, and it’s like, Ronaldo’, but I watched it back and I’ve still got one arm on the floor, so it wasn’t the most acrobatic!”
Bellingham was spotted on Tuesday with his family at a restaurant in Erfurt, about half an hour from England’s camp in Blankenhain, eastern Germany.
The players were given a day off to relax with their families by boss Gareth Southgate.
Some of the squad, including Kyle Walker, Ezri Konsa, Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer, watched a short game between the England media team, who were managed by Kieran Trippier, and the press.
Bellingham’s brilliant goal against Slovakia came from Walker’s long throw, which was flicked on by Marc Guehi.
Guehi, who is suspended for Saturday’s quarter-final against Switzerland, went in for a handshake at full-time with Bellingham, who was having none of that and hugged the Crystal Palace defender in appreciation.
The Real Madrid megastar praised Guehi – or “gave him his flowers”, as Bellingham put it – for his crucial role during the tournament.
The 21-year-ol added: “Marc probably made the best flick-on header in England history, and he’ll never take any credit for it, but it’s important he knows how appreciative I am and the team is for his contribution.
“He’s the most humble geezer, he thought I’d let him get away with a little handshake [at full-time] but he’s just set up the most important goal of my life.
“I’m really big on giving people their flowers, especially when they’ve been as good as he has so far this tournament.
“He’s only a little bit older than me, but when you speak to him or are around him, you get the idea that he’s like 40 and played three careers!
“He’s such a nice guy, you forget about his physical presence and playing against him. Whenever I see him going for headers, I think it’s nice-guy Marc and then boom, it’s not-so-nice Marc!
“He’s a brilliant guy, uncle Marc!”