“Bellingham seeks to regain prominence for England in the World Cup.”

The iconic moment of Jude Bellingham, as he launched into a spectacular bicycle kick just before the final whistle to save England from a humiliating elimination against Slovakia at Euro 2024, is still etched in the memories of English fans. At the time, with the clock in Gelsenkirchen showing 94 minutes and 34 seconds, Bellingham did not hesitate to challenge his critics: “Who else?” he shouted to the stands, making it clear that the spotlight was on him. Two years later, the question has reversed — can Bellingham, now 23 years old, reclaim the superstar role and lead England to glory at the World Cup?

The midfielder of Real Madrid enters the World Cup in the United States after two seasons marked by ups and downs, persistent injuries, and a tense relationship with the new coach, Thomas Tuchel. England’s opening match in the competition is set for Wednesday in Dallas against Croatia, and all eyes are on Bellingham, who is expected to have won the individual battle with Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa to take on the role of number 10 behind captain Harry Kane.

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The importance of this moment cannot be underestimated. Bellingham was seen as England’s “golden boy” in the aftermath of Euro 2024, despite the bitter defeat to Spain in the Berlin final. However, the meteoric rise of Rogers and Tuchel’s unwavering refusal to prioritize status have stalled the midfielder’s trajectory, making his place in the starting eleven a topic of heated debate. The pressure is immense for a team that has not won a men’s trophy since 1966 and is once again seeking to break the cycle of disappointments.

The relationship between Bellingham and Tuchel has been anything but peaceful. The German coach, known for his bluntness, did not hesitate to publicly criticize the player, admitting after the particular defeat against Senegal in June that “even Bellingham’s mother” considered her son’s behavior on the pitch “repulsive.” Tuchel later apologized, emphasizing that he used the word “unintentionally,” but the controversy intensified when the midfielder was excluded from the matches against Wales and Latvia, despite having recovered from shoulder surgery. Bellingham himself, in recent statements, highlighted: “We need to feel love when playing for England,” showing that he feels the weight of criticism and the distance from the coach.

Injuries to his shoulder and thigh, combined with Tuchel’s tactical decisions, have limited Bellingham to just nine starts in England’s twenty matches since the Euro final. However, since arriving in the United States, the English international has shown clear signs of recovery—both physically and emotionally. His integration into the group is evident; it was Bellingham, in the locker room after the victory over New Zealand in Tampa, who presented the young Liverpool prodigy, Rio Ngumoah, with his first international cap. A gesture of leadership from someone who, despite his youth, assumes the role of a veteran.

Jordan Henderson, Bellingham’s mentor since his entry into the national team in 2020, believes that the former teammate has everything it takes to be the “X factor” for the team in this World Cup. Former international goalkeeper Paul Robinson, now an analyst, has no doubts: “From what we have seen and heard from the locker room and the teammates, England is getting the real Jude Bellingham back for the World Cup. He looks as fit and focused as we’ve seen him in a long time. I would choose him to start, without hesitation. Morgan Rogers doesn’t deserve to lose his spot, but Bellingham is a player for big games. I’m not saying Rogers isn’t, but Bellingham has World Cup experience.”

The big question is whether Bellingham can, in an environment of extreme pressure and fierce competition, regain his prominence and once again be England’s talisman. The debut against Croatia will be the first major test, especially for a team that cannot afford to waste talent or foster internal divisions. The outcome of this World Cup could very well define the course of Bellingham’s international career, as well as Tuchel’s legacy in charge of the Three Lions.

With the eyes of the world on Dallas and the shadow of Euro 2024 looming, England needs answers. Bellingham knows that the time to prove his worth is now — and he is determined to do so with all his intensity. For the fans, only one question remains: “Who else?”

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