Gary Lineker defends Jude Bellingham after England’s victory over Panama
Gary Lineker has leapt to Jude Bellingham’s defence following England’s 2-0 victory over Panama in the World Cup group stage, accusing parts of the media of unfairly criticising the Real Madrid star, reports BritPanorama.
Bellingham, again pivotal for England, broke the deadlock early in the second half before providing a superb assist to Harry Kane, who became England’s leading goalscorer at World Cup finals with his header.
Despite another influential performance, Lineker noted that Bellingham has faced unnecessary scrutiny regarding his confidence and personality. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, the former England striker expressed his confusion over why the 22-year-old’s mentality was being questioned.
“I found it odd that some parts of the media almost turned on him, that he’s too big for his boots,” Lineker remarked. “Maybe it’s an English thing; we don’t like people who are overly confident. But to win a tournament, you need your big players to handle pressure. It’s not arrogance; it is confidence.”
Lineker further praised Bellingham’s character, stating, “He is a born winner and a born leader. I don’t want to be rude to Morgan Rogers, but how was this ever a debate? You need someone with a strong mentality as much as ability. He is a mentality monster, a moments player. He’s one of the best players in the world.” With this latest performance, Bellingham has now scored eight goals for England, five of which have come at major tournaments, underscoring his capacity to perform on the big stage.
The midfielder has previously shared feelings of being a “scapegoat” when the team underperforms. Additionally, Thomas Tuchel, the England manager, recently apologised after revealing his mother had once described Bellingham’s behaviour as “repulsive.”
Former England captain Alan Shearer complemented Bellingham’s contribution, stating, “He has been England’s best player in the three games. There are moments where you look to your big hitters to do something that changes the course of the game. He did that with the first goal.”
Shearer added, “The strength, the ability and the balance – that is what changed the game. You need your big hitters to make the difference.” Bellingham expressed disappointment at being substituted late in the match but recognised the need to manage player workload as they approach the knockout stage. “It’s completely normal after the long seasons everyone has had,” he remarked.
He acknowledged the responsibility he feels to inspire his teammates when challenges arise, saying, “I felt in the second half we were all a bit sharper and clinical in what we were doing.” The Real Madrid star noted that his team believed they had more to give in the second half, which ultimately led to their decisive performance.
As the tournament progresses, the spotlight remains firmly on Bellingham, a young player carrying the weight of expectations while showcasing remarkable talent. His journey reflects not only his personal ambitions but also the pressures faced by emerging stars on the international stage, reminding us how often promise converges with scrutiny in the world of football.
