The Argentinian press are speculating that Jude Bellingham may be carrying an injury ahead of Wednesday night’s World Cup semi-final against Lionel Messi and Co.
New footage released today shows the Three Lions ace – and their saviour against the Norwegians – clutching his shoulder and grimacing while walking through the mixed zone post-match at the Hard Rock Stadium.
It came after Bellingham was spotted tending to his left shoulder while speaking to manager Thomas Tuchel, leaving journalists at Buenos Aires publication TyC Sports convinced that England‘s star man could be injured.
But Bellingham has long suffered with shoulder problems. While playing for Real Madrid against Rayo Vallecano in March 2025, the midfielder suffered a dislocated shoulder – and ultimately underwent surgery last summer to repair that injury.
A large scar has remained on Bellingham’s left shoulder, which is visible in pictures he posted today from the pool at the Three Lions’ Kansas City base.
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 onto 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 1 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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