Rooney Hails Bellingham As England's Indispensable Star
Former England striker Wayne Rooney has hailed Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham as indispensable after the midfielder scored both goals in England's 2-1 extra-time win over Norway to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup knockout stages.
Wayne Rooney, England's former striker, has praised Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid as a player the Three Lions cannot do without, after the midfielder helped secure England's place in the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup.
Bellingham scored both goals in England's 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in the pre-quarterfinal round on July 12, Thai time.
Rooney lavished praise on the young midfielder, saying: "Tonight was a difficult match. We lacked quality, pace, and rhythm, but when you have a player like Jude Bellingham, you always have a chance."
"I said before the tournament started that there would be games where we would need Jude Bellingham," Rooney added. "I point to Steven Gerrard in the 2005 Champions League final—a match where people needed him most, and he delivered brilliantly."
