Bellingham reaching heights of World Cup legends with Messi next
Jude Bellingham is being compared to football legends after leading England to the World Cup semi-finals with a series of match-winning performances. He faces a high-stakes match against Lionel Messi's Argentina in the next round.
Why it matters
Bellingham's performance is a major narrative in international sports, highlighting the potential for a new generation of players to define the World Cup.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Jude Bellingham was England's two-goal hero again as they beat Norway to reach the World Cup semi-final.
Chief football writer in Miami Published 10 minutes ago Jude Bellingham has carried England through the altitude of Mexico City then the searing heat and humidity of Miami on what increasingly looks like a personal mission to end a 60-year wait to win the World Cup.
The World Cup can sometimes turn into one player's destiny, carrying an unstoppable momentum towards the sport's greatest prize.
Think Diego Maradona with Argentina in 1986. Think Ronaldo's redemption with Brazil in Yokohama in 2002. Think Lionel Messi finally claiming his personal Holy Grail with Argentina in Doha in 2022.
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