Jude Bellingham ‘grateful’ for stunning rise with England

Jude Bellingham has expressed surprise at the speed of his ascent to World Cup stardom after playing a pivotal role in England’s thumping opening win over Iran.

Bellingham, 19, scored his first international goal in the 6-2 win in Al Rayyan, making him the second teenager to score for England at a World Cup after Michael Owen’s heroics as an 18-year-old in 1998.

But he admitted on the ‘Lions’ Den’ social media programme: “I always dreamed I would be here but I never thought it would be this early.

“It’s maybe three years since my professional debut and I’ve been given the opportunity to do things that a lot of people haven’t done in their whole careers, and I’m so grateful.

“There’s an element of quality and technique but there’s also luck and trust. To get that trust from managers and players to make me feel so comfortable at this level does make me really happy.”

“It is difficult to sleep,” added Bellingham. “I was up all night trying to reply to messages and speak to people about how the game was.

“It was a really nice day for everyone but there is a level of professionalism when it comes to being ready the next day and good to go on Friday, because you don’t get given the World Cup for winning one game.

“We can take a lot of confidence from scoring six goals in any game, but especially in a World Cup. We know it means nothing to win one game, we have to back it up with a good performance against the USA.”