In a moment that perfectly captured the fierce club rivalries within the England camp, Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered a brutal dig at teammate Jude Bellingham immediately after the Three Lions' dramatic Euro 2024 semi-final victory.
The Liverpool defender, who came on as a substitute in the 2-1 win over Netherlands, didn't waste any time reminding the Real Madrid superstar about their club allegiances in a moment caught on camera.
The Priceless Dressing Room Exchange
As the England squad celebrated their hard-fought place in the Berlin final, Alexander-Arnold approached Bellingham with a cheeky grin and a remark that cut straight to the heart of their club rivalry. "You're s***, you!" the Liverpool right-back declared, pointing directly at the Madrid sensation before breaking into laughter.
Bellingham, who had been instrumental throughout England's campaign, took the banter in good spirits, sharing a laugh with his international teammate. The exchange highlighted the unique dynamic of international football, where club rivals become brothers in arms when representing their country.
From Madrid to Munich: Club Rivalries Set Aside
The tension between their clubs added extra spice to the moment. Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool have faced Bellingham's Real Madrid in several high-stakes European encounters in recent years, creating a natural competitive edge between the two players.
Yet when donning the England shirt, both players have demonstrated their ability to set aside club loyalties for the national cause. Their partnership on the pitch has been crucial to Gareth Southgate's tactical setup, with Alexander-Arnold's creative passing complementing Bellingham's dynamic midfield presence.
Road to Berlin: England's Dramatic Journey
England's path to the final has been nothing short of dramatic, requiring late heroics and nerve-shredding moments. The semi-final against Netherlands followed a familiar pattern, with Ollie Watkins emerging as the unlikely hero with a 90th-minute winner after coming off the bench.
Bellingham, despite being the target of Alexander-Arnold's banter, has been one of England's standout performers throughout the tournament. His last-minute overhead kick against Slovakia in the round of 16 will go down as one of the tournament's most memorable moments.
The stage is now set for a blockbuster final in Berlin, where England will look to secure back-to-back European Championship finals. And if they succeed, you can bet the banter between Alexander-Arnold and Bellingham will continue long after the final whistle.
