Germany midfielder Toni Kroos says his Real Madrid team-mate Jude Bellingham is "the complete package" and can handle the weight of English expectations at Euro 2024.
Kroos played alongside Bellingham, 20, as Real won the Champions League final at Wembley on 1 June and the veteran says the England midfielder carries himself in a way which belies his years.
"I've had a year with Jude and had to ask how old he really is. He's 20 but - and particularly off the field - he feels to be a fair bit more mature than that," said Kroos, 34.
England are among the pre-tournament favourites and Bellingham trained alongside all 25 of his teammates at their open training session in Jena on Tuesday.
Bellingham, who became Birmingham City's youngest-ever player in August 2019 at 16 years and 38 days old and made his England debut in November 2020, is expected to play a central role in the Three Lions' bid for glory in Germany.
"It speaks for him that there is so much hope resting on him in England," said Kroos. "At Real, in the first few weeks, he was directly decisive for us. I didn't feel he had any problems as his importance to the team grew.
"He's a guy who can handle this pressure. This personality at just 20 years of age - it's no problem for him to withstand the pressure."
Gareth Southgate's side begin their campaign against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.
'A bit too cheesy but I'll take it'
Kroos will retire from a glittering career after this summer's home European Championship, which begins when Germany face Scotland in Munich on Friday.
The 2014 World Cup winner started his senior career at Bayern Munich before moving to Real Madrid and lifted a sixth Champions League title after the Spanish giants beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 earlier this month.
He stepped away from international football after Germany's last-16 exit to England at Euro 2020, but says he would not have returned to the national team in February if he did not believe the hosts could win the tournament.
"That ending would be a bit too cheesy, with the Champions League and the European Championship, but I'll take it," said Kroos.
"It went hand-in-hand with the decision to come back.
"I still want to be successful and I want to win the tournament this summer. That's quite clear.
"If I didn't feel this idea - or this fantasy - was possible, then I wouldn't have come back, because it's always about winning any competition I play in."
Latest Stories
-
35th CIMG Awards: Full list of winners
54 mins -
The Multimedia Group wins big at CIMG Awards 2023
2 hours -
Bernard Mornah wins PNC flagbearship race
2 hours -
Video: Confusion at PNC National Executives election
3 hours -
Rapper E.L. joins King Promise as Guinness Accravaganza headliner for September 21 showdown
4 hours -
PNC Congress: Bernard Mornah leads in Greater Accra Region
4 hours -
Reject violence, divisive rhetoric, embrace peace ahead of elections – Bawumia appeals to Ghanaians
4 hours -
SEFF’s debut single ‘Father’ sets stage for bold new talent
5 hours -
Super typhoon Yagi kills four in Vietnam
6 hours -
Hollard Insurance-UENR Mentoring Day: Students urged to let hard work, integrity shine to advance career
6 hours -
2024/25 GPL: Vision FC opens campaign with draw against Berekum Chelsea
6 hours -
If Baba Yara pitch was good, Mumin clears the ball – Laryea Kingston
6 hours -
GPL 2024/25: Samartex begin title defence with draw against Dreams FC
7 hours -
Financing road construction and maintenance through a special fuel levy: A sustainable solution for Ghana’s road infrastructure
7 hours -
Ghana Celebrity Impact Awards 2024 launched to honor positive social influence
7 hours