Jude Bellingham's rise to England indispensability

Jude Bellingham has become indispensable for England, delivering a World Cup performance that, even by his own lofty standards, ranks among the most mesmerising by an England player in recent major tournaments. It now seems ludicrous that there was ever a debate about whether he would start for England at the World Cup. Bellingham has emerged as one of the stars of England's run to the quarter-finals, arguably one of the best players of the tournament. He has scored four goals and provided an excellent assist for Harry Kane in the 2-0 win over Panama, earning serenades from England supporters in the USA. The 23-year-old appears to take the adulation in his stride, accustomed to the spotlight. His rise to the top was predicted by those in the game when he burst onto the scene in 2019.

Early promise at Birmingham City

Bellingham made his debut for hometown club Birmingham City in August 2019 at the age of 16 years and 38 days, becoming the club's youngest ever player and breaking club legend Trevor Francis' record set in 1970. A Premier League scouting report from that debut noted his "great athleticism, long legs, graceful running and work-rate," but it was his technical skills that stood out: his ability to carry the ball away from pressure and find space by getting between the lines or pulling wide. The report recommended the undisclosed Premier League club sign Bellingham immediately, loan him out, and bring him into the senior squad in 18 months. Within a year, Bellingham moved not to the Premier League but to Borussia Dortmund for £20.7 million. Upon his departure, Birmingham retired his number 22 shirt, having played just 44 times for the club.

Fast track to international football

Bellingham scored on his Dortmund debut, bagging the second goal in a 5-0 win over Duisburg in the German Cup. It wasn't long before then-England manager Gareth Southgate took notice. After just 11 matches for Dortmund and still only 17, Bellingham was fast-tracked into the senior national side, making his debut as a late substitute in a 3-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in November 2020. The clamour for Bellingham to become a regular grew with every brilliant display in the Bundesliga. Yet Southgate restricted him to three substitute appearances at the delayed Euro 2020, where England reached the final. On reflection, Southgate carefully managed Bellingham's early steps into international football. According to well-placed sources, Southgate's assistant Steve Holland was a key figure in Bellingham's transition, particularly regarding the defensive aspects of his game.

Breakthrough at the 2022 World Cup

By the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Southgate and Holland could no longer hold Bellingham back. His headed opener in the 6-2 win over Iran was his first senior international goal. He has since added nine more goals. By Euro 2024, Bellingham was a key player for his country.

The emergence of the Real Madrid Galactico

With Bellingham's strong performances came a swagger—a trait that can divide opinion. At Euro 2024, Bellingham had been a Real Madrid player for almost a year, a Galactico who had scored 19 goals for his La Liga and Champions League-winning club. Every media outlet at the tournament wanted a piece of him.