Jude Bellingham, the young England superstar, recently scored a wondergoal against Slovakia that drew comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic overhead kick for Real Madrid in the Champions League in 2018. Bellingham admitted that when he was in the air during his goal, he felt like Ronaldo, but upon watching the replay, he realized it wasn’t quite as acrobatic. Ronaldo’s bicycle kick against Juventus is widely regarded as one of the greatest of this century. Bellingham’s goal, however, was still an impressive display of instinct and skill.
Bellingham’s goal came from a long throw by Kyle Walker, which was flicked on by Marc Guehi. Bellingham praised Guehi for his crucial assist and expressed his appreciation for his teammate’s contribution to the team. Guehi, who is suspended for the upcoming quarter-final against Switzerland, received praise from Bellingham for his humility and his performance throughout the tournament.
Bellingham was recently spotted at a restaurant in Erfurt with his family during a day off given by manager Gareth Southgate. Some members of the squad watched a short game between the England media team and the press, with Walker, Ezri Konsa, Kobbie Mainoo, and Cole Palmer in attendance.
In an exclusive interview, former England striker Emile Heskey compared Bellingham to David Beckham, noting their ability to transcend football and become icons. Heskey played alongside Beckham during their time with the national team and witnessed firsthand the phenomenon surrounding him. Heskey believes that Bellingham is following a similar path to Beckham, with his trend-setting style and ability to lift his team with moments of brilliance.
Heskey also highlighted Bellingham’s leadership qualities, comparing them to Beckham’s captaincy. Both players have shown a willingness to take control of games and lead by example on and off the pitch. Heskey believes that Bellingham’s strong support network, including his family, will help him handle the increasing spotlight on him. He also praised Bellingham’s ability to speak publicly and handle media attention at such a young age.
There is currently uncertainty regarding whether Bellingham will face a ban for his celebration after his goal against Slovakia. Uefa is investigating a potential violation of conduct rules due to what appeared to be a crude gesture. Heskey acknowledged that losing Bellingham for the quarter-final would be a blow but emphasized the importance of backup players stepping up, citing past examples of players seizing opportunities in major tournaments.
Overall, Bellingham’s goal and his performances throughout the tournament have showcased his talent and potential as a future star. With his ability to make an impact on the pitch and his grounded nature off it, he has drawn comparisons to legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham. As England progresses in the tournament, all eyes will be on Bellingham to see if he can continue to shine and help lead his team to glory.