Hours After Real Madrid Heartbreaker, Luka Doncic Hails Jude Bellingham for Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s?Footsteps

After two pre-season games against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Abudhabi, Luka Doncic and Co. headed for Spain. Despite losing the first game to Antman and his crew, Luka Magic went off for a 25-point master class in game 2. Spirits were high as the Mavs visited the Spanish Capital to battle Luka’s former team.

The 4-time all-star’s stint at Real Madrid from 2015 to 18 helped him garner NBA attention. However, the game didn’t pan out the way fans were hoping for as the Dallas Mavericks? fell to the Los Blancos. Interestingly, even after losing to his former team, Doncic had encouraging words for their soccer phenom.

Jude Belligham Compared to Cristiano Rolando by Luka Doncic

Earlier this year, Real Madrid FC announced their signing of British phenom Jude Bellingham on a six-year $110 Million contract. The 20-year-old midfielder has previously played with Borussia Dortmund in the Birmingham FC and Bundesliga. Bellingham’s debut in La Liga has turned heads across Europe as he broke a record previously held by Cristiano Ronaldo.

He already scored 10 goals for the Los Blancos in 10 appearances. Two of the ten goals are from the Champions League. Even Luka Doncic acknowledged the young midfielder in his trip to Madrid saying, “I have seen a stat in which he has scored 10 goals in the first 10 games. And the only one who has done it is Cristiano. He is playing very, very well.”

However, the 4-time all-star’s admission doesn’t help the fact that the Mavs lost against Real Madrid.

Dallas Mavericks Fall to Real Madrid

The Mavs and Luka received a warm welcome in Madrid. The crowd chanted the 24-year-old’s name in Unison. Despite that, Luka could only play for 5 minutes, scoring 9 points as he wasn’t fully fit. Resulting in a loss of 123-127, in Doncic’s absence, Tim Hardaway Jr. took over offense, scoring 21 points. Facundo Campazzo, previously signed and waived by Dallas the previous year, spearheaded Madrid’s late comeback, contributing 20 points. Sergio Llull and Vincent Poirier, former teammates of Doncic, both scored 19 points for the Spanish club.

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Upon his arrival, the Mavs guard got emotional at the crowd’s response. ” I Was waiting for this game all summer. With the exception of not being able to play more, it was all very special. The whole day was very special,? said Doncic. With only weeks left for the Maverick’s first game against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs fans, wait for the epic showdown.

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