Despite injuries and doubts, Jude Bellingham has displayed his full determination, strength, and effectiveness during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making him indispensable for England in big moments, as seen against Mexico in the previous round and ahead of the quarter-final against Norway on Saturday.

Bellingham said after his impressive performance at the Azteca against Mexico (3-2): 'I am aware of the responsibility and pressure I carry along with the rest of the players. Each player has a different responsibility on the pitch according to his role, but I know what I can bring to the team.'

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The Spanish Real Madrid player added: 'It is the most beautiful evening of my career with England, incredible,' after scoring two goals within 98 seconds and making heroic plays inside his own penalty area.

At 23 years old, and already in his fourth major tournament, the Englishman with 10 goals in 53 international matches has cemented his role as a leader, alongside actual captain and team top scorer Harry Kane.

The two world stars led their country to the quarter-finals against Norway, although the collective performance of the 'Three Lions' did not live up to expectations.

His teammate Morgan Rogers said on Wednesday: 'I am not surprised! No one in the group is surprised. We are not surprised by the way he dominated the decisive moments of the matches: within five minutes (against Mexico), he left his mark on the game and imposed his rhythm.'

- 'Hunger' - His friend and competitor for the number 10 position in the starting lineup added: 'In big matches, you need your big players. We see how hungry he is to win, and how much it means to him to decide these encounters and push us forward.'

Bellingham's brilliance since arriving in the United States has dispelled the doubts before the World Cup about the possibility of him not being a starter under coach Thomas Tuchel.

The midfielder's relationship with the German coach had not been the smoothest since the latter took charge of the England national team at the start of last year replacing Gareth Southgate, but everything seems to have been resolved between them for three weeks.

Tuchel said after the opening win over Croatia (4-2): 'In moments like these, we can rely on Jude because he loves big matches, and that brings out the best in him.'

He added: 'So it is easy to field him and give him confidence, also because over the past 16 or 17 days, he has fully integrated into the idea of team spirit, brotherhood, and our vision of how to play football.'

This comes after a less dazzling season than the previous one for England's number 10, particularly due to injuries, as he suffered a hamstring injury during February and March, in addition to chronic pain in his left shoulder for which he underwent surgery last summer, keeping him out for weeks.

Rogers continued: 'He was very eager for the World Cup to start.' He added that the six-week rest period the Real Madrid player had to recover from a muscle problem 'helped him prepare for these big occasions.'

England, runners-up in the last two European Championships and eliminated narrowly by France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals, hopes that Bellingham will maintain this high level for three more matches in order to seize the title they have been waiting for since 1966.