Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham somehow keeps making an even bigger name for himself with each passing tournament, and while there are some silly fans in Spain who do not appreciate his quality, that is a small minority. And the even more misguided few in his home country of England who dared to question his status as a national team starter are being drowned out or changing their tune.
Bellingham scored and assisted the goals in the 2-0 win over Panama, but he also dominated in all the usual phases of midfield as one of the two starting No. 8's next to new Manchester City signing Elliot Anderson. The former Dortmund man had four key passes, four fouls drawn, and three dribbles completed, also leading the team with four tackles.
Ever since he made it to the England national team as a Real Madrid superstar, Bellingham has been just as he was at Dortmund and in Madrid, the guy you turn to when you need someone to get something done and be bigger than the moment.
Jude Bellingham draws Roy Keane and Steven Gerrard comps
Wayne Rooney did not have sucess with the England national team, but he was a serial winner in the Premier League for Manchester United with Champions League success to boot, and he was exactly that same mentality monster who would run, defend, assist, score and do it all to win.
Speaking on the BBC Sport broadcast after England's Jude fueled win over Panama, "Jude Bellingham? When it's a difficult situation, you need that player to drag the team through it. Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane and Jude Bellingham are players who come to mind in those situations."
Roy Keane and Steven Gerrard are some of the biggest legends of the game and looked upon as examples, leaders, and larger than life figures at historic clubs. Jude Bellingham is just 22 years old, and the fact that he is being compared to those kinds of players, including great rivals and teammates of Rooney's, is massive.
And as Real Madrid supporters will readily point out, it is not exactly undeserved or out of place either. From his Clasico goals to his Champions League crown to his bicycle kick and overall performance at the European Championships, Jude has always been that guy, dragging his teams through victory, even in those less glamorous moments doing the dirty work.
Bellingham's status even as a U23 player is that of an icon, and if Wayne Rooney is waxing poetic about him lifting a team up like a Roy Keane or Steven Gerrard, then you know this young man is destined to be an all timer.
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