'He's World Class; I love him' : Brahim Diaz 

Brahim Diaz lauded his Real Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham after scoring in Madrid’s 1-0 Champions League round of 16 first leg win over RB Leipzig on Tuesday and payed homage to the injured midfielder imitating his famous arms-outstretched goal celebration

Diaz put the visitors ahead in the 48th minute with an exceptional solo effort, running past Leipzig’s defence before precisely striking the ball into the opposition’s net, leading Bellingham to post “Oh my god Brahim!” on social media. 

The Spanish winger paid tribute to Jude– who’s believed to be on the sidelines for nearly three weeks due to a sprained ankle he picked in Madrid’s emphatic 4-0 win over Girona on Saturday– with his goal celebration, and then while speaking to the media post match. 

"I love [Bellingham]," Díaz told Movistar. "From the first moment, we've got on really well. I'm helping him with his Spanish. He's a world-class player, I enjoy playing with him. Apart from the charisma he has, he's a great person.

"Despite the absences of Jude, who we missed, and of [Antonio] Rudiger, and all those [players] who are out injured for a long time, we keep showing that we're a great team, that we're Real Madrid."

Diaz started the season struggling to make a mark in the white jersey after signing from AC Milan, but has become significantly important and has now found the back of the net on 8 occasions across all competitions. 

"I got the ball, I started running and I saw they were worried about jumping in, they were backing off and I put it in the net," Díaz said. "I'm intuitive, I wanted to give it to Vinícius [Júnior] but in the end I took the shot. It was a nice goal."

"After two years in Milan he looks stronger, with more character," coach Carlo Ancelotti said, when asked about Díaz. "He started the season without playing much, but when he’s got an opportunity, he has always contributed. Today he scored a spectacular goal."

"What did I think [before the goal]?" Ancelotti added. "Don't lose the ball! And he didn't!"

The Galacticos will now lock horns with Ravo Vallencano, Sevilla and Valencia in the league before the return fixture against Leipzig at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 6.