While Jude Bellingham threw his arms up in frustration at being substituted, it was notable that two other England players in particular approached him as he left the field and tried to congratulate/compassionate him, Phil Foden and Harry Kane.
Just a few days ago, manager Thomas Tuchel said the two players could not be on the pitch at the same time as Real Madrid’s star because they do not complement each other.
Bellingham, who was portrayed by some as a loner, self-obsessed and bold rather than a team player, played in front of millions of people and won the solidarity and support of the England captain and Manchester City forward.
Bellingham is a world-renowned superstar. He is the national team’s star player.
As England boarded the team bus for departure from Tirana Airport last night, Bellingham was mobbed by Albanian fans, Albanian security guards and Albanian journalists, all of whom wanted to take selfies with him.
By the way, he was polite and helpful with every question. Because this kind of surveillance is part of his daily life.
Kane, England’s all-time leading scorer, has scored an astonishing 28 goals in 23 games this season, surpassing Pele’s international goals tally, but he still doesn’t attract half the attention of Bellingham.
Therefore, in that context, we have to judge the man (a 22-year-old man) and his actions. He is like the David Beckhams, Wayne Rooneys and Paul Gascoignes of England’s past, a symbol and a tormentor, a hero and a villain, a celebrity mocked and degraded by the whims of the state and the media.
What actually happened when Bellingham came on as a substitute?
When Bellingham was substituted in the 84th minute last night, the television footage did not capture the reality of the situation. So, let’s depict the true picture as seen from the media tribune.
Bellingham had just fired a stunning 40-yard pass to Marcus Rashford on the left. Rashford similarly curled a sumptuous cross into Kane’s forehead, who also scored his goal and England’s second, ensuring victory and giving England a perfect qualifying record of eight wins from eight.
Jude Bellingham named man of the match against Albania
Bellingham immediately ran up to Rashford and gave him a high-five before turning around to celebrate with Kane and the rest of the team.
Moments later, when Bellingham saw his best friend Morgan Rogers naked and getting ready on the touchline, he knew his time was up. At that moment, he threw his arms up in the air.
To me, it was more of a clear expression of dissatisfaction than opposition. After being acknowledged by some of his teammates, he trotted off the pitch and shook hands with Tuchel, who grabbed him and patted him on the back in a friendly gesture of thanks.
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England manager Thomas Tuchel said Jude Bellingham was understood to be dissatisfied with the decision and said he “must accept” the decision to substitute him.
Tuchel first learned of the arm swing when asked about it in his post-match press conference, and he said he would consider it.
“It’s the actions that matter, and the respect for your teammates who are playing. Decisions are made and as players you have to accept them,” the coach said. That’s absolutely true and the least a head coach can ask for.
In a week where Tuchel has emphasized the importance of substitutes and ‘team’ duties more than any previous England manager, the last thing England’s most high-profile player wanted to do was show anger or selfishness in public.
But if Bellingham had been substituted minutes later, rather than immediately after celebrating the goal in which he played a key role, perhaps the arm would have remained at his side.
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Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett reacts after England maintained their perfect record in World Cup qualifying by defeating Albania.
Brand Bellingham, Brand Beckham, Team England
There will be many who will say that Bellingham has once again proven he is not a team player and that is all about him, that he doesn’t respect Tuchel and the other players enough, that the ‘Bellingham brand’ is more important than Team England.
But they would be more concerned if Bellingham was content to be sent off the pitch, and just as many would say his determination to succeed and drive standards is a key factor if England are to win next summer’s World Cup.
The similarities between Bellingham and Beckham and how they are portrayed are uncanny.
David Beckham was sent off during the 1998 World Cup against Argentina.
…But the mood changed when he scored a free-kick against Greece to help England qualify for the 2002 World Cup.
Beckham became the country’s bad boy when he was sent off for kicking out against Argentina’s Diego Simeone in the last 16 of the 1998 World Cup. He received death threats. But years later, he became an undoubted hero with a career-defining performance at the 2002 World Cup and single-handedly scoring a free-kick against Greece to lead England to the final.
Bellingham received the highest praise at Euro 2024 when he scored a mesmerizing overhead kick in stoppage time to equalize against Slovakia and save England. In contrast, five months ago, his national team head coach said he felt his mother sometimes “disgusted” him. personification of heroes and villains.
Just as the Madrid maestro is certain to continue to polarize opinion, it is equally certain that he will continue to dominate the headlines and social media flow between now and next summer’s football show.
The fact that Bellingham’s actions are receiving more attention than England’s astonishing record of eight wins and no conceded out of eight qualifying matches is criminal.
But such is the life of a football icon.
