There’s a buzz circulating in the Argentinian media regarding Jude Bellingham’s fitness as there’s speculation about a potential injury ahead of the much-anticipated World Cup semi-final clash against Lionel Messi and his teammates on Wednesday night.
Fresh footage, released earlier today, shows the England sensation and the hero of the match against Norway appearing to be in discomfort. Bellingham was seen clutching his shoulder and grimacing while making his way through the mixed zone at the Hard Rock Stadium post-game.
Further igniting these concerns was the sighting of Bellingham addressing his left shoulder while in conversation with manager Thomas Tuchel. This has led journalists from the Buenos Aires-based publication, TyC Sports, to speculate that the talented midfielder might indeed be nursing an injury.
It’s worth noting that Bellingham is no stranger to shoulder issues. Back in March 2025, while representing Real Madrid in a match against Rayo Vallecano, he dislocated his shoulder. This incident eventually required surgical intervention last summer to rectify the problem.
Today, images circulated by Bellingham from the Three Lions’ base in Kansas City revealed a prominent scar on his left shoulder, a reminder of past injuries. This scar became the focus of attention amidst ongoing speculation about his current condition.
The Galactico is expected to start on Wednesday night at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium as England look to book their place in a World Cup final for the first time in 60 years.
Jude Bellingham could be seen in footage from the tunnel holding his shoulder and grimacing in pain
Argentinian journalists are convinced Bellingham is injured after the post-match grimacing – and having spotted a scar on his left shoulder
The England midfielder also appeared to grip his shoulder while speaking to Thomas Tuchel during a hydration break against Norway
Bellingham has enjoyed a dream tournament across the pond thus far, scoring six goals in as many games on England’s run to the semi-finals.
His latest two – no doubt the most important – came just before half-time and then during extra time against Erling Haaland’s Norway.
The first, which put England level after the Vikings broke the deadlock, saw the Birmingham-born star latch on to an Anthony Gordon pass, drive into the box and rifle an effort past Orjan Nyland into the back of the net.
Later, Bellingham booked England’s place in Atlanta when he followed in a Morgan Rogers effort from distance and capitalised on a Nyland spill.
The victory sparked jubilant scenes after the final-whistle as England’s players rejoiced, singing Wonderwall with the thousands of fans packed into the stands in Miami.
Tuchel, however, branded his players ‘lucky’ in an eye-opening interview with ITV minutes after the final whistle, prompting a perplexed reaction from Bellingham when it was his turn to speak to the media.
The midfielder suggested the German, who retired as a footballer at just 25 due to injury and ended up working as a bartender before his coaching career, may ‘not know what it’s like’ to compete in top-level matches.
‘What do you think about the statement from your boss?’ Bellingham was asked, initially replying: ‘No comment.’
But when pressed, he then added: ‘Maybe he doesn’t know what it’s like to play in those kind of conditions against Erling Haaland, (Martin) Odegaard, (Antonio) Nusa, (Alexander) Sorloth. That’s not an easy team to play against.
TYC Sports’ report suggested Bellingham ‘could not hide his discomfort’ post-match
Bellingham starred on Saturday in Miami as England beat Norway 2-1 to seal their place in Wednesday night’s semi-final
‘I think we’ve tried to create a positive environment and we should continue that going into the final four. I couldn’t speak highly enough of the lads. You’re not going to win every game popping the ball and making a thousand passes, sometimes you have to win dirty and we did that again tonight.’
England were playing in intense heat in Florida, with ‘real feel’ temperatures pitchside over 40C.
In the separate pitchside interview Bellingham had been dismissive of Tuchel’s comments, saying: ‘Yeah, well, whatever.
‘It’s tough out there, it’s difficult. All the players are putting in a very tough shift. So all my thoughts and appreciation goes to the players who were out there who put in a great shift.’
Yet Tuchel laughed off claims of a rift last night, saying: ‘There is no disconnect from me to my team, no, not one per cent. I’m full with my heart and I’m fully in love all of my players and my team and the way they perform.’
England will head into the Argentina clash with few injury concerns other than Jordan Henderson, who made the bench in Miami despite suffering a broken arm just days earlier. Declan Rice, meanwhile, was subbed at half-time against Norway after suffering with illness in the build up to the game.
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