Dietmar Hamann has confessed to a change of heart regarding Jude Bellingham after lauding his team ethic during England's victorious World Cup 2026 opener. The Three Lions overcame Croatia 4-2 on Wednesday in their Group L encounter, with the Real Madrid midfielder netting his country's third goal.
Bellingham Shines in England's Opening Win
Bellingham is featuring in his fourth international tournament for England at just 22 years of age and has consistently delivered the goods for club and country since his teenage years. His exceptional on-pitch presence and self-assurance have prompted some to label him arrogant - a tag Wayne Rooney urged the midfielder to embrace, given his outstanding ability.
Hamann's Initial Concerns
Former Liverpool man Hamann, who represented Germany at two World Cup tournaments, worked as a pundit for RTE during England's match and acknowledged there were elements of Bellingham's behaviour he disapproved of while the youngster was at Borussia Dortmund. He said: "I saw him for Dortmund for a couple of seasons, and some of the things he did I didn't like at all."
Yet he pointed to Bellingham's Champions League glory in his maiden campaign in Spain and his display against Croatia as evidence of the heights he can reach when fully committed to operating within a team structure. Hamann added: "I wasn't sure about him going to Madrid, but I have got to say the way he made the transition to Madrid and winning the Champions League in his first year, there is huge pressure to perform, and tonight he looked like a team player. When he does play for the team, when he does work for his team-mates, we know he's an excellent player."
Bellingham Responds to Critics
Despite being regarded as one of the finest midfielders on the planet, England manager Thomas Tuchel conceded he was not guaranteed a starting berth in their tournament opener owing to Morgan Rogers' impressive form. The debate over Bellingham's place in the side dominated much of the pre-World Cup discourse, and the 22-year-old acknowledged he relished silencing his critics with a commanding display.
He told BBC Sport: "Yeah, for me personally it was nice to put some of the noise aside and just show my country and my teammates how committed I am to helping us try and win football matches. I think it was a great team performance second half. First half, we still got the intensity right, but with the ball, we weren't quite there. Second half I think we put it all together nicely, and again, to contribute and help my team, help my country, it's one of the biggest honours. Regardless of the noise outside, that honour doesn't change for me."
Extra Motivation
Bellingham disclosed he is performing with extra motivation amid the continuing speculation about his role in Tuchel's starting XI. Speaking after the match, he said: "I think I have a little bit of a chip on the shoulder. I think that helps me a lot. To find that focus early in the game, to find that intensity. I know it's part of being a footballer, I don't hold a grudge against anyone who says bad things about me because sometimes I do deserve it. Today it was nice to remind people and show people what I'm about."
England currently top the group and take on Ghana next Tuesday, with the Black Stars also beginning their campaign with a victory after Caleb Yirenkyi's 95th-minute strike secured a 1-0 triumph over Panama.
