‘He’s the best player in the world’ Jude Bellingham told the ecstatic Real Madrid fans at the Madrid City Hall on Sunday, as they luxuriated in the sun and their title win. ‘ He  is the best’ responded Vinicius Junior, arm in arm with Real Madrid’s revelation this season.

The two could well be on the podium together depending on how the next few months go, and both will have made great contributions to the other’s cause. Their strong relationship started before Bellingham joined Los Blancos, as Vinicius spoke often with him in his final months at Borussia Dortmund, persuading him to join the side.

Shortly after arriving in the Spanish capital, Vinicius and his family invited Bellingham and his mother to their house, helping them to settle in with advice on where to live, how best to spend time in Madrid and tips on life in the city in general, which was appreciated by the Englishman as per Relevo. Since, they have become close friends, with the pair having dinner together often, and the Brazilian introducing Bellingham to the best spots and restaurants in Madrid.

Bellingham invited Vinicius and his friends to London earlier in the year, and he acted as host too, further strengthening their relationship. Bellingham is now just another part of a group that tends to spend time together off the pitch, which includes Vinicius, Rodrygo Goes, Eder Militao, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga.

The pair certainly seem to be building success on the pitch on their relationship off it. It has been noted by all just how quickly Bellingham settled in Spain, integrating well in the dressing room, but also hitting the ground running on the pitch. It was his goals that got them through some tricky spells in the first half of the season. It seems Vinicius had a part to play in that.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Oilers crush Panthers in Game 4, stay alive in Stanley Cup Final
Dodgers ace leaves game against Royals due to triceps tightness
Sam Mayer uses overtime restart to win Xfinity Series' return to Iowa
Liberty forward pushes herself into MVP conversation with big game vs. Aces
Tiger Woods makes big admission about his U.S. Open future
Cubs P 'Mike' Imanaga continues hot start vs. Cardinals
Celtics' All-Defensive guard reportedly could replace Kawhi Leonard on Team USA
Tee Higgins' contract decision adds pressure on Bengals in 2024
One-time Defensive Player of the Year open to reunion with former team
College baseball has become too regional for its own good
Three Padres prospects who should be untouchable in trade talks
Connor McDavid's history-making night helps Oilers stave off elimination
Astros scratch Justin Verlander as nightmare season continues
Watch: Oilers chase goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky from Game 4
Watch: Rockies third baseman takes advantage of Pirates laziness' to steal home
Pirates place young catcher on concussion IL
Watch: Game 4 of Stanley Cup Final gets off to chaotic start
Rockies 1B, former NL MVP diagnosed with internal oblique strain
NBA insider shares update on J.J. Redick's candidacy for Lakers HC job
Nationals hurler DJ Herz makes impressive history in third career start