Gary Lineker has boldly predicted that Jude Bellingham could become England's greatest ever footballer after the Real Madrid star scored twice to lead the Three Lions to a 2-1 victory over Norway in the World Cup quarter-finals. The win puts England one match away from their first men's World Cup final since 1966.
Bellingham's Heroics Against Norway
Bellingham canceled out Andreas Schjelderup's dipping effort two minutes into first-half stoppage time, then scored the winner in extra time after pouncing on a rebound from substitute Morgan Rogers' shot that Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland failed to hold. With his two goals, Bellingham became the first player to score in consecutive knockout stage games at a single World Cup since Diego Maradona in 1986. Twelve of his England goals have come at major tournaments.
Lineker's Bold Claim
Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, Lineker said: "I would go as far as to say I think there's a chance that I think he could well be, or end up being, England's greatest ever footballer. And that is a big shout. We've had some really great players. Some of them have not necessarily done it for their country, others have. Go back to people like Bobby Charlton obviously, I would say would have to be up there. You would put Harry Kane in that bracket and there are other players as well, but I think at this age, to be doing what he's doing and to grabbing England by the scruff and getting them over the line, that is superstar."
Joe Cole and Gary Neville Weigh In
Former England winger Joe Cole agreed, recalling when Bellingham first joined the England squad at age 18: "I remember when he turned up when he was about 18 in the England squad, and I was talking to a few of the lads, Declan, people like that, and they were going, 'This kid's unbelievable'. When you hear players talk about it, that's when you know. The media can talk about it, the press can talk about it, everyone else can talk about it, but when the players who train with him every day are excited by him, that tells you something."
Gary Neville highlighted Bellingham's all-around game: "The reason he elevates himself to world class isn't just the goals, it's the out-of-possession work, it's the interviews, it's what he did after the game today. That's the complete package for me. That is what takes you to a different level. He's not just a goalscorer or someone who delivers in big moments, he does the ugly bit."
Historic Achievement
Bellingham has now scored six goals in the tournament, joining Lineker (1986) and Harry Kane (2018, 2026) as the only England players to score at least five times at a single World Cup. England will face Argentina in the semi-finals.
