Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey has hailed Jude Bellingham ahead of England’s World Cup 2026 semi-final clash with Argentina on Wednesday night (8pm kick-off UK time).
Heskey thinks there is almost no ceiling for the Real Madrid star and has compared his form and personality to that of former England and Manchester United star Wayne Rooney.
Spain booked their place in Sunday’s final with a 2-0 win over France on Tuesday night – and now the nation waits to see if Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions can topple Lionel Messi and co.
No ceiling for Bellingham
During an exclusive sit-down interview with 10bet, Heskey said of Bellingham, who has scored six goals so far in World Cup 2026: “It’s scary because it seems like there is no ceiling for him.
“When you think about the level he’s performing at right now and his age, to have all of that in your locker at 23 is frightening.
“He could go higher and higher if he wishes to.
“There was a lot of talk about him coming into the tournament and his status as a starter, but he has shown why we need him and put all of that to bed emphatically.
“He’s the one that grabs the game by the scruff of the neck. He’s the one that chases back, tackles and gets the fans behind you.”
Inspires England team-mates
Heskey continued: “At times you don’t realise how much a cheer from the fans does for you, but you’ve got to make them want to do that.
“And that’s what he does. He inspires everyone around him.
“I think it was the first game against Croatia where he put in a couple of tackles – he’s supposed to be playing as a number 10, but he’s chasing back, sliding in, winning the ball back and then setting us going again.
“It shows his mentality.”
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Reminiscent of Wayne Rooney
Heskey feels Bellingham has the same galvanising effect on his team-mates that former Man United striker Rooney had when he pulled on an England shirt.
The former Leicester City hitman explained: “I think he’s got the tenacity, the fight and the will to do more, be better and beat the opponent.
“If I was to name an old team-mate he reminded me of, it would be Wayne Rooney.
“Sometimes people say that Rooney played on the edge, but that’s what his game was about: aggression, fight, the will to win and the will to beat your opponent.
“That was it. That’s what Jude is showing right now.
“He’s got the same never-say-die attitude as Wayne; he’s got the same temperament to handle the spotlight and be the main man wearing an England shirt. I love seeing it.”
One of the best
Bellingham is shining on the biggest stage of all and seems to be thriving on the responsibility thrust upon him by England boss Tuchel.
Ex-Birmingham City striker Heskey believes Bellingham’s overall game makes him almost unrivalled in world football.
He stated: “He’ll definitely be up there as one of the best midfielders in the world.
“He’ll definitely be in that discussion, because there’s no one scoring the goals from midfield that he’s scoring.
“What I love about him is his overall game.
“He developed well at Birmingham City, he played in every single midfield role and that education is paying dividends for his total game.”
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Great understanding of positions
Heskey added: “For the Blues, he played as an eight, a 10, a seven and an 11.
“So I think that education has carried him to where he is now, where he knows all those different positions.
“If needs be and you want to put him deeper, play him box-to-box, he understands it.
“The reality with positions and playing football at times is that it’s going to come down to 1v1 duels, and you’ve got to be ready to win them.
“He has shown me time and time again that he will not be outdone in those 1v1 battles.”
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SportJustSport writers 
Aidan Leo 
Michael Davey