According to sources within the England national team, there is a sense of disappointment and unease surrounding Jude Bellingham and his integration into the team. Despite the 19-year-old’s undeniable talent and meteoric rise to stardom, his teammates do not appear to view him as the natural leader and talisman that the media has portrayed him to be. “Jude is obviously an exceptional player, one of the best young talents in world football at the moment,” said one England player who spoke on condition of anonymity. “But I think there is a feeling among the lads that the hype and the attention around him has perhaps gone a bit too far, too soon.”
The source went on to explain that while Bellingham has a good relationship with Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, with whom he shares representation, he has struggled to form strong bonds with many of his other international teammates. “He’s a bit of an isolated person, to be honest. Jude keeps to himself most of the time, and I think the rest of the team struggle to really connect with him on a personal level.” This perceived distance from Bellingham appears to have been exacerbated by a recent Adidas marketing campaign that portrayed the Borussia Dortmund midfielder as the saviour of the England national team. “The ‘Hello Jude’ thing really upset a lot of the players,” the source revealed. “It was just another example of Jude being sidelined and put on this pedestal, when we’re all working so hard to represent our country.”
Another England player, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, echoed those sentiments, saying Bellingham's rapid rise had caused some jealousy and resentment within the squad. "Look, we're all proud of Jude and what he's achieved, but I think deep down we feel he's been given special treatment. The media attention, the sponsorship deals, the way he's been talked about as the future of English football - it's a lot for a 19-year-old to handle, and I think it's created a bit of a divide within the squad."
This perceived division is particularly worrying for England manager Gareth Southgate, who has worked hard to foster a cohesive and harmonious squad ahead of the 2022 World Cup and beyond. “Southgate places a lot of emphasis on team spirit and unity,” the first source said. “He will be concerned that this issue with Jude could disrupt that, especially with a major tournament on the horizon.”
The UEFA European Championship 2024, hosted in Germany, captured the imagination of football fans across the continent. Taking place from 14 June to 14 July, the month-long extravaganza saw 24 teams battle it out to be crowned the kings of European football. As the opening ceremony took place in the heart of Berlin, the sense of anticipation and excitement was palpable. Thousands of fans from across Europe descended on Germany, their faces painted in the colours of their respective national teams, ready to roar on their heroes. The air was electric with the sound of chants, waving flags and the beat of drums – a symphony of passion that set the tone for what would be a truly unforgettable competition.
Once the action got underway, it quickly became clear that this was going to be no ordinary European Championship. The group stage was marked by plenty of twists and turns and surprises, as so-called minnows like Croatia, Denmark and Switzerland defied the odds to claim vital victories against the continental heavyweights. Every game was a nerve-wracking, adrenaline-fuelled affair, with lead changes and momentum shifting with dizzying frequency. Nowhere was this more evident than in the clash between England and Germany. The two great rivals went head-to-head in a titanic contest that had the entire German nation on the edge of their seats. The atmosphere inside the iconic Allianz Arena was simply electric, with both sets of supporters creating a breathtaking wall of noise that threatened to lift the roof off the stadium. In the end, it was the Three Lions who emerged victorious, coming from behind to snatch a dramatic 2-1 victory and send their jubilant fans into delirium.
As the tournament wore on, the drama only intensified. In the quarter-finals, Spain and the Netherlands delivered a classic, with the Spaniards winning 3-2 after extra time. Lionel Messi’s Argentina, meanwhile, finally exorcised their demons by beating defending champions France on penalties, setting up a mouth-watering semi-final with the resurgent Italians. The atmosphere inside the stadiums during these knockout matches was simply electrifying. The air crackled with tension as the minutes ticked by, the roar of the crowd reaching fever pitch at every opportunity, every controversial decision and every moment of magic from the players on the pitch. This was football at its rawest, most primal and most captivating.
When the final between Spain and England took place on July 14, the anticipation was at its peak. Both teams had battled their way through a grueling tournament, overcoming numerous challenges and obstacles to reach the showpiece event. Now, they are just 90 minutes away from immortality, the chance to etch their names into the history books and bring the trophy home to the adoring fans.
