Jude Bellingham has sparked injury concerns after grabbing his shoulder twice during and after England's World Cup quarter-final victory over Norway — just as the 23-year-old prepares to face Lionel Messi and Argentina in the semi-finals.
The Real Madrid midfielder scored both goals in England's 2-1 win in Miami, taking his tournament tally to six. But Spanish media outlet Diario AS recorded him clutching at his shoulder blade while approaching reporters in the mixed zone after the match. Earlier, during a hydration break, an image circulated of Bellingham putting pressure on the same area while in discussion with England manager Thomas Tuchel.
“Jude Bellingham grabbed his shoulder twice after scoring twice vs Norway, raising injury fears ahead of England's semi-final against Argentina.”
Bellingham missed Real Madrid's first four La Liga games of the 2025/26 season after undergoing a procedure on his shoulder last summer. It is not confirmed whether he aggravated that previous injury against Norway.
Despite the fitness worry, Bellingham's performance in Miami placed him alongside World Cup legends. He became the first player since Diego Maradona in 1986 to score two or more goals in consecutive knockout stage games at a single World Cup. He is also the second youngest to achieve that feat, behind only Pele, who did so at 17 in 1958.
“Whatever, whatever. It's difficult out there. It's a tough shift,” Bellingham said when told of Tuchel's description of England's performance as “sloppy, lucky” and not good enough in “every sense.”
“Maybe he doesn't know what it is like to play in those kind of conditions against Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sorloth. That's not an easy team to play against,” Bellingham added.
England now face Argentina in Atlanta, after Lionel Messi's side beat Switzerland in extra time. The winner will meet either Spain or France — led by Kylian Mbappe — in the final. England have not won the World Cup since 30 July 1966, when Sir Alf Ramsey's side lifted the trophy.
If Bellingham's shoulder holds, the nation's 60-year wait could end. If not, England may face Argentina without their talisman — just as the destiny of this World Cup seemed to be his alone.
