How Jude Bellingham grew to become England’s World Cup hero who answered each Thomas Tuchel doubt

This has never been about tough love, proving naysayers wrong or setting the record straight. Rather, it’s simply Jude Bellingham demonstrating that he is one of the world’s top footballers.

His most recent heroics came against Norway when he dug deep, netted twice and single-handedly propelled England into the World Cup semi-finals. He is the driving force behind England’s journey this far.

It was yet another stellar display from a stylish, sophisticated and supremely gifted player who stands out in every way. Majestic, graceful and captivating. It’s a delight to watch him on the pitch.

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Bellingham has been England’s standout star in this World Cup, having bagged the Man of the Match award in four of his six matches. That’s quite an accomplishment, reports the Mirror.

Bellingham also boasts six goals, has risen to the occasion when England needed him most, and his rapport with the fans is something we should all treasure. The way Bellingham speaks about the England supporters is fantastic.

Hearing him discuss them – especially after the match in Mexico – was one of my World Cup highlights. If you’ve ever paid to attend a match, if you’ve ever travelled to a game, you’ll appreciate his words when he thanked them, discussed the cost, the challenges of getting there and their unwavering support.

It was superb. It also showed that he hasn’t let any of this go to his head. This is a player who’s not only a superstar on the pitch, but also a down-to-earth, humble and grounded individual who has clearly been raised exceptionally well by his family. Bellingham may only be 23, but he displays maturity far beyond his years.

He was the prodigious talent at Birmingham City who, at just 16 years and 38 days old, made his debut in their first team. Ask any Birmingham fan what they think of him.

This is a player who also stunned everyone in the dressing room with his maturity, class and determination. It was clear he was destined for the very top. Very few players are audacious or courageous enough to challenge themselves to move abroad.

But this one stepped out of the limelight and comfort zone to join Borussia Dortmund where he quickly became a superstar earmarked for greatness.

Ignore all the former players and managers who jumped on the bandwagon claiming they nearly got him to sign for their club. He knew his own mind, knew where he wanted to go and having the courage to join Real Madrid takes something special.

They adore him in Madrid. They love him as a top player, a lovely personality who is so respectful. He’s also a heartthrob, incredibly handsome, but it’s on the pitch where he truly excels. Yet, despite this backdrop, despite his determination and success, some people doubted Bellingham.

Let’s get this straight: Thomas Tuchel was one of them. The England manager didn’t include him for parts of the World Cup qualifying campaign, appreciated the team’s unity and spoke in a manner that suggested Bellingham was the odd one out.

That was incorrect. It was also disrespectful and created further division following Tuchel’s remarks in a radio interview about his own mother finding some of his on-field behaviour “repulsive” and “intimidating” to his own team-mates.

Anyone tuning into this summer’s World Cup can swiftly recognise that Bellingham is the embodiment of a team player. He puts in a shift for the team, backs his teammates and pushes himself to the limit for England.

It’s entirely wrong to attribute his performances to Tuchel’s man-management as if it were some clever carrot-and-stick strategy. What absolute rubbish.

That would be a disservice to Bellingham’s exceptional talent and determination. What we’re witnessing now is a player at the peak of his powers. He is the ultimate mentality monster.

He is the player who stepped out of his comfort zone to play overseas, then joined arguably the world’s biggest club and is now making waves at the World Cup.

Bellingham is simply being himself at this World Cup. It’s his attitude, mindset and drive that set him apart from the rest. That doesn’t come from anyone but Bellingham. Anyone who suggests it’s about tough love clearly doesn’t know what they’re talking about.

The more pressing explanation for the current situation is that Bellingham finds himself in what Tuchel termed a “sweet spot” of form, remaining sharp following a campaign where injury ruled him out for significant periods and now hitting his stride at precisely the perfect moment.

Should England claim World Cup glory, then he merits winning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s outstanding performer. Back in 2018, Luka Modric guided Croatia to the final where they suffered defeat but still claimed the Golden Ball.

You cannot convince me he was more deserving than Bellingham. He genuinely ranks amongst the globe’s elite talents. Even his confrontation following the Norway clash was superb.

It was ITV’s exceptional post-match interviewer, Gabriel Clarke, who engaged in a heated exchange with Tuchel after the England boss criticised his side’s display.

Clarke questioned whether this stemmed from mindset issues, Tuchel took exception to that suggestion and tensions flared. However, Clarke then relayed Tuchel’s comments to Bellingham, who stood up for his squad, the showing and his colleagues too.

That epitomises being a team player. A captain. We cannot demand our stars speak candidly – then slate them for expressing opinions. There was a genuine miscommunication involved but Tuchel actually appeared to appreciate it.

It created compelling television. Once more, Bellingham tackled the queries posed to him – especially when speaking to Sky’s outstanding Rob Dorsett – as he stressed nobody should undervalue how demanding the fixture proved, given the sweltering conditions and environment. Before concluding with a knowing wink.

Yes, there have been run-ins with the press. It must be tough to stomach when a newspaper splashes a headline on its back page suggesting he shouldn’t be at the World Cup.

However, he’s taken part in TV interviews post-match (a requirement for the Man of the Match) and has been a delight on the radio. That’s where he gave me goosebumps talking about the fans. We tip our hats to you, Jude. A truly unique talent.

He genuinely possesses the skill and charisma to become England’s greatest-ever player. He is making this World Cup his own for England.

If he hoists the trophy aloft in New Jersey come 19 July, it will be down to him and one of the most impressive series of performances by any England player in history. He is a national gem and we should treasure him.