As the World Cup approached, the persistent wave of criticism surrounding Jude Bellingham intensified. Various writers, pundits, and former players voiced concerns about whether one of England’s brightest talents might disrupt the harmony within the national squad. The most notable expression of this sentiment was captured in a November 2025 Daily Mail article, which bore a particularly infamous headline: “Someone like Jude, for some reason, frightens these people,”
In response to the backlash aimed at Bellingham, Ian Wright felt it necessary to come to his defense during an episode of Stick to Football. His remarks quickly circulated through social media channels, resonating due to both Wright’s straightforwardness and his context of Bellingham’s treatment within a historical framework concerning Black athletes. “It’s something you’re taught as a Black man … to keep your head down and be, for want of a better word, a humble fucking slave.” Wright remarked, elaborating that it’s a lesson ingrained in Black men to “a matter of national honour”
Bellingham’s perceived missteps have undeniably placed him in conflict with the traditionalists of English football. His initial “error” was having Birmingham City retire his jersey number prior to his 18th birthday. Following that, he opted for Borussia Dortmund over England’s elite clubs, leading to Real Madrid acquiring him for an initial fee of €103 million (£88 million) and granting him the prestigious No 5 shirt previously associated with Zinedine Zidane. Throughout this journey, Bellingham has exhibited a level of confidence that many English players abroad have struggled to maintain. However, his accomplishments in Madrid have often been viewed not as a point of national pride, but rather as a challenge to the Premier League’s dominance in global football.
While these factors contribute to the animosity directed at Bellingham, Wright’s perspective on the underlying reasons for this perception is particularly compelling. There exists a cultural specificity in Bellingham’s demeanor that resonates with many Black Britons but is often misunderstood elsewhere as a point of contention. Personally, I recall my aunt’s insistence that I walk with my shoulders back and head held high, a lesson she imparted after immigrating from the Caribbean to a society that told her she was an outsider.
We may never know if Bellingham received similar guidance, but the strong self-belief exhibited by one of the world’s top footballers suggests it is a possibility. Given the prevalence of this cultural inheritance in Black families, it is not far-fetched to assume he did.
The emotional landscape of English football often revisits its past, fixating on its achievements and the near-misses that have marked its history. It frequently looks to players with whom it identifies, such as Bryan Robson, David Beckham, and Paul Gascoigne. Among them, Gascoigne’s legacy remains particularly potent. Jack Grealish was briefly seen as his successor, while prior to Euro 2020, Phil Foden dyed his hair to mirror Gascoigne’s iconic look from Euro 96, consciously aligning himself with that lineage.
Bellingham challenges the boundaries of this recognition process.
England has long had remarkable Black players in its ranks. Yet, whether due to social rejection— as noted by Paul Gilroy in “Race, Sport and British Society” regarding John Barnes’s exclusion from the pantheon of British sporting greats—or the favoritism shown to Alan Shearer over Andrew Cole, or the ongoing criticism faced by Raheem Sterling, the national team has historically shied away from embracing a Black player as its defining figure. However, with his exceptional performances in recent tournaments, Bellingham has emerged as a crucial tactical asset and the emotional core of the national squad.
The spontaneous singing of “Hey Jude” following England’s victories serves as a testament to this shift: a Black player whose identity poses no barriers to natural English identification.
Each new generation of Black individuals born and raised in England molds the nation while being molded by it in return. While it would be naïve to suggest that one player can bridge the complexities that often place Black identity at odds with English identity, Bellingham clearly perceives no conflict between the two. His greatest impact may very well lie in demonstrating to future generations that they need not see a division either.
- Calum Jacobs is the author of A New Formation: How Black Footballers Shaped the Modern Game and the founder of CARICOM magazine.
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