Jude Bellingham had a perfectly good reason to wrap up his ITV interview a little early. Standing on the pitch in New Jersey, he was praising Harry Kane’s influence on England when chants of 'Hey Jude' began to rise from one end of the stadium. The fans’ voices grew louder, filling the air with affection and admiration.

Gabriel Clarke, hearing the chorus, gave Bellingham the nod to go. With a quick, 'I better go,' the midfielder jogged toward the stands to soak in the moment as supporters serenaded him. By then, most of the England team had already disappeared down the tunnel, but Bellingham rightly took his time to enjoy his well-earned applause.

Bellingham’s display in the 2-0 victory over Panama was a masterclass. He recorded the most key passes, completed dribbles, and tackles, while also scoring and assisting across 70 minutes of dominant play. The talent has always been evident, but on Saturday, Bellingham added a touch of swagger that made the performance even more special.

Within the England setup, Harry Kane remains the leading Ballon d’Or contender, closing in on 70 goals for club and country since the season began. Yet Bellingham represents something different — a complete footballer who thrives on pressure, a generational talent who performs when it matters most. His influence mirrors that of greats who have defined tournaments before him.

Having already led England to two group-stage victories in North America, Bellingham could yet propel the Three Lions even further before the summer concludes.

Only a few weeks ago, Bellingham’s place in the starting lineup was under real threat. Thomas Tuchel’s 4-2-3-1 system left room for debate between Bellingham and Morgan Rogers for the No.10 role. At the time, Bellingham was enduring a mixed season for Real Madrid, while Rogers was shining for Aston Villa, helping them capture a European trophy and emerging as one of the Premier League’s most dynamic midfielders. Tuchel even described Bellingham as 'repulsive' before later retracting the comment, while praising Rogers’ work ethic and discipline.

In the build-up to the tournament, Tuchel noted that Bellingham was one of '14-15' players he was considering for the opener. Now, that uncertainty feels misplaced.

Many had backed Rogers to start England’s first game against Croatia, but Bellingham soon provided his answer. England began sluggishly in Dallas, struggling with rhythm and decision-making. Assistant coach Anthony Barry criticised the team on live television, calling their first-half showing 'fearful', even though the score was level at 2-2 against their toughest Group L opponent.

Bellingham responded decisively, sparking England’s turnaround with a decisive run behind the defence that Noni Madueke had avoided all night. His energy, directness, and clinical finishing redefined the game. It was a moment that combined technical brilliance with boldness — the attitude of a player declaring, 'I’ll handle it.'

From that moment, Bellingham seized control. He threw himself into tackles, drove the ball forward with conviction, and orchestrated play around him. He sensed that this was his time and refused to let it slip away.

The next match, against Ghana, turned into a defensive showcase from Carlos Queiroz’s side. The veteran coach later admitted his primary goal had been to frustrate England. Although Bellingham was named FIFA’s Player of the Match, he modestly suggested that one of Ghana’s defenders deserved it instead. It was a tough evening for England, who found themselves stifled in attack for much of the 90 minutes.

By the time England faced Panama, qualification for the round of 32 was already secured, but a win was required to top the group. The first half proved frustrating, though Bellingham still managed a few standout moments — including a fierce slide tackle that brought an emotional roar from him. His passion for the game was on full display.

In the second half, Bellingham took charge. Despite being tightly marked during a corner, he stretched just far enough to connect with the ball and volley it home. Minutes later, he sprinted past Kane, feinted twice, and then crossed beautifully for the captain to head in England’s second. It was a complete performance from England’s No.10.

When discussing English football, comparisons often arise with past icons. The most natural parallel for Bellingham is Steven Gerrard — another powerhouse of energy, leadership, and determination. Gerrard himself has admitted that Bellingham is 'miles ahead' of where he was at a similar age. While Gerrard remains a Liverpool legend, his England career never quite produced the same heroics. Bellingham, however, seems poised to change that narrative.

England have long awaited a player capable of transforming games single-handedly. Harry Kane, despite being the nation’s all-time top scorer, has faced criticism for not always delivering on the grandest stages. Questions linger over whether England depend too heavily on him — something Tuchel dismissed with a laugh last week — but the point stands that Kane’s deeper playmaking role doesn’t always translate into goals when it matters most.

Not since Wayne Rooney’s explosive rise at Euro 2004 has England seen such a commanding, fearless talent. Rooney’s four goals and one assist as an 18-year-old made him a national sensation before injury cruelly ended his campaign. Bellingham now carries that same spark.

Bellingham follows in the footsteps of Paul Gascoigne, young Michael Owen, young David Beckham, and Rooney — all prodigies who dazzled early but faded too soon. Yet Bellingham’s trajectory looks different. His overhead kick against Slovakia at Euro 2024 saved England’s campaign, while his Real Madrid career has already been filled with moments of brilliance on the biggest stages.

In a tournament where Lionel Messi continues to show the unmatched value of genius among great players, Bellingham has emerged as England’s answer to him. Of course, their abilities cannot be directly compared, but at just 23, Bellingham appears capable of inspiring England the way Messi has inspired Argentina.

He has the potential to achieve what Gascoigne, Owen, Beckham, Rooney, and Gerrard could not — to guide England all the way to a World Cup triumph.