The crowds have been brilliant – families dressing up and dancing, fans from all nations on a World Cup jolly. But the real spectacle at this tournament has been England’s football. After the team’s 2-0 win over Panama, one observer wrote in the New Statesman: “Energy and positive play at last, from the whole team: the best I’ve seen since… 1966.”
At the heart of that energy is Jude Bellingham. The 23-year-old Real Madrid midfielder has scored four goals and provided an excellent assist for Harry Kane’s goal against Panama, emerging as one of the best players of the World Cup. England’s supporters have been serenading him in the USA as the team advances to the quarter-finals.
“Jude Bellingham stars with four goals as England reach World Cup quarter-finals; fans say football best since 1966.”
But Bellingham’s rise was predicted long ago. He made his debut for hometown club Birmingham City at 16 years and 38 days in August 2019, becoming the Blues’ youngest ever player and breaking Trevor Francis’s 1970 record. A Premier League scouting report from that game noted his “great athleticism, long legs, graceful running and work-rate”, but it was his technical skill – carrying the ball away from pressure and finding space – that truly impressed. The scout recommended the undisclosed club sign him immediately, loan him out, and bring him into the senior squad within 18 months.
Within a year, Bellingham moved – not to the Premier League, but to Borussia Dortmund for £20.7m. Birmingham retired his number 22 shirt after just 44 appearances. He scored on his Dortmund debut, a 5-0 German Cup win over Duisburg. By November 2020, after only 11 matches for Dortmund, Gareth Southgate – then England manager – fast-tracked the 17-year-old into the senior national side, handing him a late substitute debut in a 3-0 win over the Republic of Ireland.
Now, with four goals and an assist, Bellingham is indispensable. And the fans – many of whom have carted their young children thousands of miles – are loving every moment.
