At just 21 and 20 years old, Musiala and Bellingham are confident about their extraordinary talent and incredible maturity. The two young players were both honored to represent the present and future of the football they play.

Birmingham-born Bellingham and Stuttgart-born Musiala formed a beautiful friendship while they played in England’s youth teams. Even though they are both currently playing for two teams in two different countries, the pair still keep in close contact.

Musiala left his homeland for England with his parents when he was 7 years old. During his time in Chelsea’s youth team, he met Bellingham, a new friend who was making a big impression at boyhood club Birmingham City.

The duo quickly found success in the England Under-15 team and played together at Under-16 and Under-17 level – both appearing in the same squad a total of 13 times.

Although he later moved to Germany and played for Bayern Munich, Musiala still follows Bellingham, “I still have love for England, my boys there, just like Jude.” Musiala shared with BBC.

Bellingham made his Bundesliga debut 33 days before Musiala and played for Dortmund. The pair then met six times in Der Klassiker, in both the Bundesliga and the Supercup.

More specifically, Musiala also made Bellingham’s final match at BVB even more heartbreaking when the German player scored the goal that sealed the ‘Gray Tigers’ championship in the 2022/23 season, making his Meisterschale dream come true. Dortmund is broken.

A lot has changed since then, with Bellingham leaving for Real Madrid shortly after for €103m. Bellingham finally surpassed his friend as the England youth international won the 2023 Kopa Cup as the best U21 footballer in the world.

But their respect was evident when runner-up Musiala sent a touching message to his close friend, “I still want to congratulate you on your achievement. Well deserved,”

The player who plays for the ‘Gray Tigers’ added. “ Not long ago we were roommates in England and now, you’re playing for Real Madrid, and I’m playing for Bayern – it’s crazy to think about it. I hope to see you again soon. Wishing you a wonderful evening and greetings from Munich.”

The response from Bellingham then also went viral: “Musiala is a great guy and it was great that he sent that message and wished me well. He knows how much I like him and how much respect I have for him.”

Bellingham is only very close to winning the La Liga championship, while Musiala is facing the first titleless season of his playing career. Bayern’s number 42 is leaving the field open after an injury and could once again refuse to face his friend at Real Madrid in an important second-leg match in C1.