Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has jumped to the defence of Jude Bellingham, hailing the Englishman as one of the most complete players in world football. The former Germany international spoke out following a wave of criticism directed at the midfielder during a challenging period at the Bernabeu.
Michael Owen made his Liverpool breakthrough as a teenager, and the former Reds star has told GOAL why Rio Ngumoha should remain at Anfield for now - rather than tread a similar path to Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho. The highly-rated winger is, at 17 years of age, seeing a surprising switch to German giants Bayern Munich speculated on.
Jude Bellingham admitted that sometimes he "deserves" the criticism that comes his way after starring in England's 4-2 win over Croatia at the 2026 World Cup. The Real Madrid star was among the scorers as the Three Lions began their group stage campaign in style, and after the final whistle, he took the opportunity to address the scrutiny he has faced in recent months.
Jude Bellingham has proven once again why he is considered one of football’s most genuine characters after sending a touching farewell gift to departing Real Madrid star Caroline Weir. The Scotland international is bringing the curtain down on a historic four-year spell in the Spanish capital following the expiration of her contract.
Thomas Tuchel did not describe, exactly, what he said at half-time of England's 4-2 win over Croatia that opened up their 2026 World Cup campaign. The score was deadlocked at 2-2 at the time, and England weren't playing particularly well. Tuchel insisted that he had some calm words and told his team to play with courage. The reality, though, is probably a little harsher.
England made a winning start to the 2026 World Cup as they beat Croatia 4-2 in their Group L opener on Wednesday. Harry Kane scored twice in the first half, only for the Three Lions to be pegged back on both occasions, and it required a brilliant solo goal from Jude Bellingham early in the second period to put Thomas Tuchel's side back ahead before Marcus Rashford made the points safe late on.
Outbursts of emotion from Jude Bellingham are no bad thing, ex-England star David James has told GOAL, with it considered to be “more of a problem” if the Real Madrid midfielder reined in his on-field behaviour. Team-mates, with club and country, are considered to have accepted that the passionate 22-year-old will always be a fiery character.
Thomas Tuchel has spent more than a year trying to figure out his best England starting XI, but with the Three Lions about to kick-off their 2026 World Cup campaign, things have remained up in the air until the last few days before England clash with Croatia in Dallas.
Jordan Henderson has leapt to the defence of England team-mate Jude Bellingham, admitting he finds it "hard to read" the constant media scrutiny aimed at the Real Madrid superstar. The veteran midfielder believes Bellingham possesses a unique "X-factor" that will be vital for England's 2026 World Cup hopes in North America.
Jude Bellingham may have been billed as a generational talent, but David James has told GOAL why England are right to treat the Real Madrid superstar in the same manner as Glenn Hoddle and Paul Gascoigne. The Three Lions have not always built around their most gifted players, with Thomas Tuchel seemingly adopting that stance again in 2026.
Jude Bellingham has been told there will be “no hiding place” for him in the Real Madrid circus as Jose Mourinho returns as ringmaster, with ex-England international Peter Reid telling GOAL what the all-action midfielder needs to prove. A place has been found in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup plans despite a testing campaign at club level being endured in 2025-26.
Police in Missouri have taken two individuals into custody following a shocking theft of England national team equipment ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The incident has left Thomas Tuchel’s squad facing an unexpected crisis just days before their tournament opener against Croatia.
Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers have launched a passionate defence of Jordan Henderson amid ongoing debate over his place in England’s squad. The pair insisted the veteran midfielder’s influence extends far beyond the pitch, highlighting his leadership, humility and importance within Thomas Tuchel’s camp ahead of England’s clash with Croatia.
England's World Cup preparations have been thrown into absolute chaos following an audacious heist on their official team equipment. Key items belonging to Thomas Tuchel's squad, including the match boots of superstars Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, were stolen in transit, leaving the frustrated camp with just a single training football.
After 'thirty years of hurt' for the England national team, football was meant to come 'home' in 1996. And yet 30 years on, the Three Lions still haven't won a major trophy since the 1966 World Cup. Might the most infamous title drought in international football be about to come to an end, though? England qualified for this summer's World Cup by winning all of their matches and without conceding a single goal, meaning there's a legitimate sense of optimism surrounding Thomas Tuchel's team.
For England, the time for talk is almost over. Soon, all that will matter is the task at hand: Winning the 2026 World Cup. The Football Association (FA) and manager Thomas Tuchel have spoken forthrightly about that being their only objective in North America, and as the days tick down to the Three Lions getting their campaign underway, there is no reason to believe that they can't achieve their ultimate goal.
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