Hey Jude: Bellingham's return to England indispensability

The Jude Bellingham Show. A World Cup body of work that, even by the Real Madrid midfielder's lofty standards, has been as mesmerising as we've seen in an England shirt in recent major tournaments. It seems ludicrous now to think that there was even a debate as to whether Bellingham would be in England's World Cup team at all. Bellingham has emerged as one of the stars of England's run to the World Cup quarter-finals - he's arguably been one of the best players of the tournament.

Four goals plus an excellent assist for Harry Kane's goal in the 2-0 win over Panama has had England's supporters serenading the 23-year-old here in the USA. But Bellingham appears to be taking it all in his stride. Of course, he is used to the adulation. It is no surprise that Bellingham finds himself in the position he does today - his route to the top was predicted by those in the game when he burst on to the scene in 2019.

Here, BBC Sport charts Bellingham's rise. Bellingham made his debut for hometown club Birmingham City aged 16 years and 38 days in August 2019. He became the Blues' youngest ever player, breaking club legend Trevor Francis' record set in 1970. A Premier League scouting report from that game suggests the midfielder's talent was quickly apparent, acknowledging his "great athleticism, long legs, graceful running and work-rate".

But it was Bellingham's technical skills that really caught the scout's attention - his ability to carry the ball away from pressure and find space by getting between the lines or pulling wide. The report recommended the undisclosed Premier League club immediately sign Bellingham, loan him out and then bring him into their senior squad in 18 months' time.

Within a year, Bellingham was on the move - not to the Premier League, but to Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth £20.7m. Upon his departure, Birmingham retired Bellingham's number 22 shirt, with the teenager having played just 44 times for the club. But Birmingham City knew. Everyone in English football was starting to realise. Germany very quickly found out, too. Bellingham scored on his debut for Dortmund, claiming the second goal in a 5-0 win over Duisburg in the German Cup.

'He's just wonderful': The pride of Bellingham's home town

England set for open-air Miami heat - but do Norway hold the edge? It wasn't long before Sir Gareth Southgate, then England manager, took notice. Bellingham, having played just 11 matches for Dortmund and still only 17, was fast-tracked into the senior national side, making his debut as a late substitute in a 3-0 win over Republic of Ireland in November 2020. The clamour for Bellingham to become a regular for Southgate gained decibels with every brilliant display in Germany's domestic league.

Yet Southgate restricted him to just three substitute appearances at the delayed Euro 2020, where England reached the final. On reflection, Southgate carefully managed Bellingham's early steps into international football. And Southgate's number two Steve Holland, according to well-placed sources, was a key figure behind Bellingham's transition into the squad, particularly regarding the defensive aspects of his game.

But by the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Southgate and Holland could not hold Bellingham back any longer. Bellingham's headed opener in the 6-2 win over Iran was his first at senior international level. There have been nine more goals since. By Euro 2024, Bellingham was a key player for his country. With Bellingham's strong performances came a swagger - a trait that can divide opinion.

At Euro 2024, Bellingham had been a Real Madrid player for almost a year - a Galactico who had scored 19 goals for his La Liga and Champions League-winning club. Every media outlet at the tournament wanted a piece of him. Bellingham was given leeway to skip tournament media duties, certainly with the English press, that other players had to undertake, all while filming his own multi-part documentary. It raised eyebrows. It also did not go unnoticed that immediately after the final whistle of England's loss against Spain at the Euro 2024 final Bellingham isolated himself away from the rest of squad.

Yet his impact on the pitch was undeniable. His overhead kick equaliser during the dying seconds of England's last-16 win over Slovakia was one of the moments of the tournament. Bellingham's now iconic 'who else' celebration showcased his oozing self-confidence - but provided another example of the 'main character syndrome' that Southgate and some of the players had begun to notice.

Fast-forward to today and Real Madrid have not won La Liga or the Champions League since 2023. Amid the off-field turmoil at the club, Bellingham has not been able to match the form or prolific goalscoring of that glorious first season. He's also had a few injuries, with shoulder surgery meaning he missed the start of the season. And clouds appeared around his England career.

Thomas Tuchel, perhaps as a result of English being his second language, caused a media stir last summer when the new England head coach said his mother viewed some of Bellingham's on-field behaviour as "a bit repulsive". The comment created a lot of headlines - and did not go down well with those close to Bellingham. Tuchel later apologised, saying he "used the word unintentionally".

Then in October, after being named England's player of the year, Bellingham was left out of Tuchel's squad. England had played well without him in September while he was recovering from injury, and he had only played one game for Real since he returned to action.

"He is a special player, and for special players there can always be special rules," Tuchel said at the time. "But we decided to keep with the straightforward decision of inviting the same group. "Jude always deserves to be here. He wanted to be called up. We had a phone call."

Reports in Spain offered an alternative scenario - that it was Bellingham who asked to be left out of the squad in order to focus on his fitness. Ultimately, it seemed like Bellingham was no longer first choice. Indeed, in June, Tuchel said the midfielder had a fight on his hands to feature in England's starting line-up at the World Cup because he had "14 or 15 potential starters" in his squad.

At that time, Bellingham had only appeared in half of the 14 matches since the German took over in January 2025: four starts and three appearances off the bench. The narrative was: 'should it be Rogers or Bellingham to start at number 10?'

Football's best bromance: Why Bellingham and Haaland break the mould

Where does Mexico win rank among England's best results? But from the World Cup warm-up matches against New Zealand and Costa Rica, things started to look different - with Bellingham impressing.

In the first World Cup game against Croatia, Bellingham scored a fantastic solo goal to put England 3-2 ahead. And against Panama, when England were struggling for a breakthrough in the final group game, Bellingham scored the crucial goal to break the deadlock.

While he was substituted in all three group games, Bellingham's form was strong. Against DR Congo in the last 32, he played an influential full game. And then came Mexico. Two goals in an iconic victory - heralded as one of England's greatest away wins - cemented his resurgence.

In five matches he has won three player of the match awards. These awards mean he has to do media interviews, where he has portrayed both maturity and humility, playing down his role and speaking up for the team's work ethic and togetherness, while praising his opponents - even offering one of his player awards to the other team.

After the 'who else' celebration of 2024, this time he has said he'd rather assist than score. The change in tone tallies with his on-field performances. His work-rate is a driving force alongside his talent - remember his goal-saving challenge against Mexico.

He has won praise for being adaptable, in particular in moving between a 10 and eight role at times, depending on the needs of the team, and he is a key part of the England leadership group with Kane and others.

It is not known exactly what happened with Tuchel and Bellingham. Was it all overblown or was there some level of the German asserting his leadership over the whole squad - perhaps recognising and managing that main character syndrome? Whatever the truth, Bellingham has looked happy, has played well and has been a key part of a squad that seems genuinely together.

It is easy to forget, with all he has achieved, that Bellingham is only 23. He has had to mature in the brightest spotlight. Bellingham - and Kane - have been widely regarded as the indispensable superstars of the England team. And with a quarter-final against Norway on Saturday, there could be more goals to cement his greatness.

This video can not be played Bellingham's goal-saving defending

When the World Cup finishes, the football continues on BBC Sport World Cup 2026 knockout path. How to watch the World Cup on the BBC and ITV