Hey Jude: Bellingham’s return to England indispensability
Jude Bellingham has emerged as one of England's most impressive performers at the 2026 World Cup, contributing four goals and a crucial assist to help the team reach the quarter-finals. The 23-year-old Real Madrid midfielder has captured supporter attention through consistently brilliant displays, with his technical ability and athleticism marking him as arguably the tournament's most captivating talent.
Bellingham's rise was notably swift, beginning at Birmingham City where he became the club's youngest-ever player at 16 before transferring to Borussia Dortmund for £20.7m within a year. England manager Gareth Southgate initially restricted his international appearances whilst managing his development, yet his performances in Germany's domestic league eventually made him unavoidable at the senior level, leading to his current status as a cornerstone of the national team.
- Bellingham has scored 4 goals and delivered an assist at the 2026 World Cup whilst helping England reach the quarter-finals, establishing himself as one of the tournament's standout performers
- The 23-year-old began his career at 16 for Birmingham City before moving to Borussia Dortmund within a year, eventually joining Real Madrid as a key player
- His early England career was carefully managed by Southgate with restricted appearances, but he has since become a regular and indispensable part of the squad