Jude Bellingham's revenge arrives just in time to erase all the criticism

Last November, after the international break and England's 0-2 win over Albania (with a Kane brace) in Tirana, the "Daily Mail", with a front-page, full-page splash, came out with a resounding "Leave Jude at home". Translated into Spanish: "Deja a Jude en casa". A message for Thomas Tuchel ahead of this 2026 World Cup... in which Birmingham's No. 10 is being the star and beacon of the "Three Lions" alongside Harry Kane.

Although Bellingham was far from his best level (the one he showed when he arrived at Real Madrid or the one he is displaying at this World Cup), the "slam" was deafening: "Tuchel believes harmony in the squad is essential to England's chances at the World Cup, but his star, Bellingham, has proven to be a player who creates divisions and appears moody. The obvious solution? Leave Jude at home".

Jude, who was described in that article as "a loner" who "divides" the group, has responded on the pitch with decisive braces against Mexico and Norway. Six goals in a World Cup and the youngest to score in two consecutive knockout matches since Pelé in 1958. No Englishman had scored six goals in a major international tournament since Gary Lineker. And Jude, who is guaranteed to have two matches left in this tournament (if not the final, then the third-place playoff), can move into sole possession of the top spot.

Bellingham's relationship with Tuchel has always been cold; that's nothing new. A frosty arrival from the German (18 months ago), the comment that his mother might find some of the player's attitudes on the pitch "repulsive" (something that Jude and those around him did not like at all), being left out of the October squad and, now, the war of words that erupted after the match against Norway. But these are obstacles he has overcome through his football, leadership and maturity.

The "10" has always been under the spotlight of the English press. The need for a new star to lead a generation hungry for success but lacking the "final touch" put him under constant scrutiny. "They always need someone to play the villain... It looks like that someone is going to be me," he himself commented in his documentary "Out Of The Floodlights".

They always need someone to play the villain... It looks like that someone is going to be me

Jude Bellingham

Jude, backed

Support, however, was massive at all times. From former footballers, but also from his national team teammates. "If another player does the same thing, it's not news. When he makes mistakes, he has to be corrected, but we are forcing things too much. Leave the boy alone,” said Agbonlahor, former Villa player. "They hate not being able to derail his career as they did with others. Bellingham is receiving different treatment for reasons that go far beyond football," even commented Ian Wright, an English legend.

They hate not being able to derail his career like they did with others

Ian Wright

So... what does Jude have to do to be recognized by the entire English "establishment?. Beyond what he has won with his clubs, he was named England Player of the Year (2024-25), he is the Englishman with the most international caps before turning 21 and England's second-youngest goalscorer at a World Cup. Not to mention repeating the aforementioned records achieved at this World Cup.

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